Denny Stewart takes a laid-back approach to coaching.

Members of the Union High School varsity golf team aren't complaining.

The Golden Knights went 7-2 last year and finished in a four-way tie for the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference title.

It may have been Stewart's first year as golf coach, but he certainly wasn't a rookie when it came to dealing with high school athletes.

"I've coached just about every sport here," said Stewart, a Union High grad. "And I've been coaching for 35 years.

"I don't put much pressure on the kids," he said of the golf team. "I just tell them, 'If you hit it in the woods, find a way to get out.'"

But the Golden Knights didn't find themselves in the woods much last year, with incoming seniors Ed Stewart and Travis Anthony earning first team All-KSAC honors in 2007.

Neil Scott also had a solid junior campaign, qualifying for the District 9 Championships.

Junior Scott Booth will round out the Knights' top four.

The rest of the team's lineup is currently a battle between senior Jake Slease, junior Chase Carmichael and sophomore Shawn Burns, with Carmichael the frontrunner for the fifth spot.

Union will participate in the KSAC Megamatch today before hosting A-C Valley Thursday at Clarion Oaks Golf Course.

Preview capsules for the area's high school boys and girls golf teams follow:

A-C Valley

Coach: Dave Sherman, 7th season

2007 finish: The Falcons went 9-2 and finished in a four-way tie for the KSAC title.

Home Course: Foxburg Country Club

Top returning players: senior Luke McCall (qualified for District 9 Championships in 2007), and sophomores and returning letter winners Logan Wetzel, Blayne McGuirk and Allan Eaton

In the mix: senior Jeff Butler and sophomores Joe Calender and C.J. Adams

Sherman says: "I feel pretty confident in the top four. If Jeff, C.J. or Joe can step into that fifth spot, that's what we're hoping for."Butler (boys)

Coach: Hank Keller, 17th season

2007 finish: The Golden Tornado were 6-10

Home Course: Butler Country Club

Top returning players: senior Antonio Baroffio (three-year letterman) and juniors Steven Feczko (two-year letterman) and Anthony Lewis (lettered in 2007)

In the mix: seniors Christian Mato, Tyler Rajchel, Jacob Shewalter, juniors Zach Sessa, Nathan Moses and freshman Corey Morabito

Keller says: "We have a very solid top three. A lot of it is going to depend on how (Mato, Rajchel and Shewalter) do. All three of them are capable of playing good golf."Butler (girls)

Coach: Sarah Parker, 3rd season

2007 finish: The Golden Tornado were 11-5 and finished fourth in their section

Home Course: Hiland Golf Course

Top players: senior Arianne Rock, juniors Taylor Schnur, Mara Shingleton, sophomore Breanna Keelan and freshman Marissa DeCola

In the mix: freshman Gabriella Bottles

Parker says: "I think we'll do better than last year, there's a good chance for that. I'm hoping we can get to the playoffs."Freeport

Coach: Dave Panach, 19th season

2007 finish: The Yellowjackets finished above .500, losing just four matches

Home Course: Buffalo Golf Course

Top returning players: seniors Kaine Mowatt, Clayton Smith and juniors Zack McQueen, Tyler Pajerski, Neal DeCroo and Dane Bargerstock

In the mix: junior Matt Hall and sophomore Pat D'Amico

Panach says: "West Shamokin will be good, Burrell's strong and Ford City had a good record last year with a lot of young players. So with us, it's going to be a good battle between four teams."Grove City

Coach: Pat Forese, 9th season

2007 finish: The Eagles were second in D10 Region 2 behind Titusville

Home Course: Grove City Country Club

Top returning players: senior Steve Deyarmin and sophomore Ryan Prokay

In the mix: sophomores Jason Revesz, Jeff Revesz and Alex Miklos

Forese says: "We're in a different region and I'm not sure what the other teams have. As long as we are competitive, I'll consider it a successful season. Ryan (Prokay) has a chance to be the No. 1 golfer in the region."Karns City

Coach: Pat Preston, 8th season

2007 finish: The Gremlins were 2-9

Home Course: St. Jude Golf Club

Top returning players: senior Zach Seybert and juniors Tim Johnston and Tyler Walters

In the mix: freshmen Cameron Lingler, Tucker Preston, Josh Jones and Lucas Morrow

Preston says: "We've got a lot of freshmen, so we'll see. I'm optimistic about the future more so than I have been."Knoch

Coach: Rob Voltz, 7th season

2007 finish: The Knights finished 6-6

Home Course: Saxon Golf Course

Top returning players: seniors Joe Boros, Kory Schorr, Ethan Danner, juniors R.J. Sepich, Corey Branchen and sophomore Jared Hennig

In the mix: junior Curtis Holben and freshman Jack Boros

Voltz says: "Hopefully, we'll make the playoffs. We have a good shot at finishing second in our section."Mars (boys)

Coach: Tim Tyler, 7th season

2007 finish: The Planets went 9-8 overall and made the WPIAL playoffs for the first time ever

Home Course: Rittswood Golf Course

Top returning players: juniors Jason Fitzpatrick, Derek Hillegas and sophomores Billy Bender and Christian Lochner

In the mix: juniors James Fox, Mike Parrish, Brendan Blakeney and Jordan Mullins

Tyler says: "All eight of our golfers played a lot over the summer. If they shoot what they're capable of, we'll be in good shape. We are hoping to get back to the playoffs."Mars (girls)

Coach: Bill Pettigrew, 5th season

2007 finish: Mars finished 12-3 and qualified for the WPIAL Championships

Home Course: Rittswood Golf Course

Top returning players: senior Resa Nelson, juniors Kayla Finney, Megan Morrow and sophomore Corinna Luschini

In the mix: junior Marla Crawford, sophomore Kendall Gillam and freshmen Alexa Glew, Marley Good and Bailey Bernard

Pettigrew says: "Kayla (Finney) is the only one returning who played in a lot of matches last year. We're inexperienced. We'll have to wait and see what happens."Moniteau

Coach: Machelle Spence-Scott, 1st season as head coach (served as assistant 2005-07)

2007 finish: The Warriors went 6-4

Home Course: Shamrock Golf Course

Top returning players: juniors Ethan Fowler, Jeremy Ritts, Michael Saper, Mike Colosimo and sophomore Mitchell Hunter

Spence-Scott says: "We've improved each of the last three seasons and we're hoping to continue that this year."Seneca Valley (boys)

Coach: Steve Mayes, 20th season

2007 finish: The Raiders went 13-2 and won a section title

Home Course: Cranberry Highlands Golf Course

Top returning players: senior Matt Vogt (WPIAL qualifier) and junior Connor McCaffrey

In the mix: junior Sean Dailey and sophomores Mike McNulty and Tim Martin

Mayes says: "Our goals are the same as every year — 1) have a winning season, 2) be undefeated at home, 3) make the playoffs and 4) win our section."Seneca Valley (girls)

Coach: Lynn Wagner, 9th season

2007 finish: The Raiders went 6-8

Home Course: Connoquenessing Country Club

Top returning players: senior Kristen Drevna, junior Brooke Arrington and sophomores Jennifer Suder, Paige Wojdyla, Nicole Eaton and Stephanie Bullis

Wagner says: "Last year, we were loaded with freshmen and they lettered. I'm just hoping that the girls are playing better at the end of the season than they are at the beginning ... just get better every match."Slippery Rock

Coach: Merle Whitmer, 24th season

2007 finish: The Rockets placed fourth out of eight teams in District 10's Region 2

Home Course: Oakview Golf Club

Top returning players: seniors Jeff Tracy (placed eighth at D10 Championships), Jenna Rinker (second in D10, ninth in Western Region and 16th at PIAAs), Tim Chavez (two-year letterman), Shawn Beatty (two-year letterman) and sophomore Brian Giesler (lettered in 2007).

Whitmer says: "We're now in Region 6 (with Grove City, Lakeview, Wilmington, Sharon and Hickory). I would be disappointed if we didn't finish in the top three, though second is an attainable goal."Union

Coach: Denny Stewart, 2nd season

2007 finish: The Golden Knights went 7-2 and were one of four teams to claim a share of the KSAC title.

Home Course: Clarion Oaks Golf Course

Top returning players: seniors Ed Stewart (first team All-KSAC), Travis Anthony (first team All-KSAC), Neil Scott (D9 qualifier) and junior Scott Booth

In the mix: senior Jake Slease, junior Chase Carmichael and sophomore Shawn Burns

Stewart says: "All of the other (KSAC) teams seem pretty equal. There are some that graduated a lot, but sometimes you get a freshman or sophomore to step up."