Chesterton's Herrod a No. 5 in name only

Horse racing has a unique numbering system it employs in certain situations. One horse may be No. 1 and another is No. 1A. You cash in if you bet on one and either wins.

One might also employ that system when trying to describe the field that is the Chesterton golf team. You have your No. 1 golfer, and then there's Nos. 1A through 1AAAA.

Meet No. 1AAAA, Pat Herrod.

The senior is listed as the Trojans' No. 5 on a team that is ridiculously deep. It's no stretch to assume that if Herrod were on many other teams he would be at least the No. 2, if not the ace. But just like in the game of golf, "what ifs" and "couldas" don't count on the card.

Besides, it certainly doesn't bother Herrod.

"It's cool to know that when you're playing and maybe you're not having the best round that someone on your team is probably playing well enough to give us a chance to win," Herrod said.

Coach John Sparks isn't dusting a spot off on the mantel for a trophy just yet, but he likes his depth.

"It's really great for the team to be this deep," he said. "All five have either won tournaments or been runners-up," he said. "You just never know who's going to be the best on any given day."

On May 25 at the Lake Central Invitational at Palmira, Herrod pushed teammate Nick Stasil for medalist honors, each falling a stroke behind eventual winner Nick Grubnich from Crown Point, 73 to 72.

As the sectionals unfold this weekend, expect the Trojans to set the pace at the Forest Park. The host Vikings aren't as strong as in recent years, but then again, no one has been as strong lately as the Trojans are this season.

"We're not overlooking anybody, but we want to get after all those Indy teams and downstate teams who don't expect much out of Northwest Indiana golf," Herrod said. "Golf here is as good as anywhere in the state."

Don't mistake Herrod's confidence for cockiness. Generally soft-spoken, the honor-roll student also was an all-area wide receiver for the Trojans this past year, and has played basketball in the past.

"I love competition," he said. Herrod also said he doesn't mind playing with other schools' No. 5s in matches, even though there are many times that he is clearly beyond their level.

"I don't worry about any of that," he said. "There was a day that I was shooting at their level, so I just worry about my game and help them out if I can."

Herrod relates to Fuzzy Zoeller, a noted course chatterbox who socialized between holes and held court between rounds.

"Fuzzy always said you can socialize all you want, but you have to concentrate from the time you start your pre-shot routine all the way until you finish your swing," Herrod said. "And that's what I try to do."

Sparks said it's that mental game where Herrod really excels.

"Pat does what he needs to do, he stays focused and calm and focuses in on each and every shot," Sparks said.

Herrod enjoys his time on the course with his teammates, most of which have been together since middle school.

"We knew in eighth grade that we would have an opportunity to win a state championship in some sport if we stayed together and worked hard," Herrod said. "We were lucky to find golf as the sport where we could all do well."