“Will was our team MVP this year and he played number one for our team,” noted Bishop.“He made All-Conference and helped Franklin win the Mid-State Conference title. Last year (as a junior), he shot a careerlow 76 in the Regional and helped FCHS make its first appearance as a team in the IHSAA Boys State Finals in 35 years. He capped off this year by being named to the IHSGCA Academic All-State team.” While golf is an individual sport, at the high school and college levels, it is very much a team sport. Bishop knows that McGuinness understands the team element of high school and college golf. “Will was our only senior,” said Bishop. “Our team started Will, three sophomores and a freshman. He led by example on and off the golf course, including the weight room and classroom. He blended well with the younger guys and this team had tremendous chemistry because they loved to just hang out with each other. Will was instrumental in that and not many seniors would do that with a bunch of younger guys.” While McGuinness is looking forward to life as a collegiate student-athlete, he’s going to miss his time with Bishop and Morse. “I owe a lot to both Coach Bishop and Coach Morse,” said McGuinness. “They have both been mentors for me in golf and in life. The opportunities that I have had in golf because of Coach Bishop and Coach Morse have been awesome.” Even though McGuiness will soon be a DePauw Tiger, he’ll always be a Franklin Grizzly Cub at heart.
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