BY ED WRIGHT
April 22, 2010 5:25 p.m.

  Ten years after teeing it up for Salem's golf team, Ryan Nimmerguth is taking it over.

  Nimmerguth, a former standout for the Rocks who graduated in 2000, is taking over the reins of the well-respected and highly-successful program from long-time coach Rick Wilson, who the East Middle School physical education teacher refers to as one of his mentors.

  "I'm not going to change too much, especially early on," Nimmerguth said. "Rick ran a great program. I just want to keep it going. I want these guys to be comfortable."

  The Rocks' roster is loaded with youth as 10 of the 15 players are either sophomores or freshmen.

  The two seniors on the squad -- Aaron Thompson and Patrick Doty -- are both proven performers who will provide low scores and high stability.

  "I'm real optimistic about this team," Nimmerguth said. "Potential is a tricky word, but these guys can be pretty good. We're young, but I have a couple of sophomores who played on the varsity as freshmen -- Eric and Brandon Duprey. My two seniors -- Aaron and Patrick -- are good players. We'll be all right with them leading us."

  Salem's tryouts drew good numbers in March.

  "We had 30 guys try out," said Nimmerguth, who also coaches Salem's junior varsity boys basketball team. "I thought 15 was a good number."

  Thompson will serve as one of the team's captains, a role he has earned following two stellar varsity seasons.

  "Aaron's a great kid who loves the game; he lives for the game," said Nimmerguth. "I expect him to continue to do well in every tournament we're in and to win every dual match we play in. He's definitely the leader of the squad."

  Josh Perrin, a junior, will also serve as a captain.

  "Josh is a very steady player," Nimmerguth said. "He has a great temperament for the game."

  The Duprey twins -- Brandon and Eric -- played well beyond their years last season.

  "They can both go low," Nimmerguth said. "But they're only sophomores, so there's going to be some growing pains."

  Doty, Tommy Halling, Jake Lee and freshman Brian Patterson will also be in the mix for starting varsity positions, Nimmerguth said.

  "Patrick is a three-year varsity player, so we'll be counting on his experience a lot," said Nimmerguth. "He has the ability to shoot under 40 every time out. He has a great short game."