Section 8-AAA is normally one of the tougher slates in all of WPIAL golf.

As usual, Mars boys coach Tim Tyler believes he has the athletes to compete.

“We’re bringing back our top two golfers from last year in Ben Mullins (39.4 average) and Josh Bartley (40),” said Tyler. “Josh has made the WPIAL finals the last three years.”

Also contributing to Tyler’s optimism are two other returnees — senior Dane Zortman and junior Nick Hardt.

“In my (12) years, only four freshmen have started for me,” said Tyler. “Three of them (Bartley, Mullins and Hardt) are on this year’s team. That’s a lot of experience.”

A bevy of players are attempting to crack the team’s top five. The leader among them so far is junior Brandon Ford.

Mars’ section foes include Valley, Shady Side Academy, Highlands, Knoch and Hampton.

The Planets will open the season Wednesday at Saxon Golf Course against Knoch.

Following are preview capsules for the Butler County area’s high school golf teams.

A-C Valley (boys) Coach: Mark Nevel, 1st season2012 finish: N/AHome Course: Foxburg Country ClubTop players returning: junior Ian Seton and sophomore Noah MorganIn the mix: sophomores Devon Renninger, Trapper Ferris and Liam McKee; freshman Ethan NevelOutlook: “We are a very young team,” Nevel said. “I just want to see improvement in all the kids as the year goes on.”

A-C Valley (girls) Coach: Leo Marron, 6th season2012 finish: The Falcons finished fourth in District 9.Home Course: Foxburg Country ClubTop players returning: seniors Kayla Cratty and Racheal ViertelIn the mix: senior Emily Elder and juniors Lydia Thompson, Tierra Page and Samantha BrisonOutlook: “I started to see more consistency in our play last season,” said Marron, “and I’d like to see that continue.”

Butler (boys)Coach: Travis Shingleton, 2nd season2012 finish: The Golden Tornado were 5-8 overall.Home Course: Butler Country ClubTop players returning: seniors Tom Dimun, Jake Campbell, Josh Tilko and Corey Pizor; junior Gabe BaroffioIn the mix: freshmen Nic Leone and Luke TomasovicOutlook: “We’re hoping to play at a high level,” said Shingleton. “We want to give the big three in our section (North Allegheny, Pine-Richland and Central Catholic) a run for their money.”

Butler (girls)Coach: Sarah Zediker, 8th season2012 finish: N/AHome Course: Hiland Golf CourseTop players returning: juniors Abby Dumbaugh and Diedre AnthonyIn the mix: freshmen Liz Rakers, Caroline Piccola, Michaela Brydon and Haley CaldwellOutlook: “I am hoping to see improvement in our freshmen,” Zediker said.

FreeportCoach: Joe Sprumont, 4th season2012 finish: The Yellowjackets won their section with a 12-0 record and placed fourth in WPIAL Class AA.Home Course: Buffalo Golf CourseTop players returning: senior Cole Hepler (made WPIAL finals in 2012) and sophomore Audrey Clawson (placed fourth in WPIAL and seventh in state)In the mix: seniors Matt Swartz, Corey Mellinger and Brendon Zack; sophomore Mickey FrazettaOutlook: “We do have some inexperience, just because six of our top eight last year were seniors,” Sprumont said, “but we also have a lot of talent. Our top two (Hepler and Clawson) are very solid.”

Grove CityCoach: Dennis Ranker, 1st season2012 finish: N/AHome Course: Grove City Country ClubTop players returning: senior Matt Gordon and junior Jordan AndersonIn the mix: seniors Derek Saylor and Justin Fulkerson; sophomore Austin Wilson and freshman Kyle ShingledeckerOutlook: “Overall, it’s an inexperienced team,” said Ranker. “We’re hoping to compete.”

Karns CityCoach: Steve Andreassi, 1st season2012 finish: N/AHome Course: St. Jude Golf ClubTop players returning: seniors Michael Riley and Nathan WeckerlyIn the mix: juniors Matt Yough and Justin Beham; sophomore Holden MartinOutlook: “Being a first-year coach, I need to observe how our players perform and what the other teams have over the first couple of weeks,” said Andreassi. “Once I get acclimated, I’ll be in a better position to set goals for the team.”

KnochCoach: Rob Voltz, 2nd season (10th overall)2012 finish: The Knights were 10-5 overall.Home Course: Saxon Golf CourseTop players returning: seniors Chris Kier and Austin Campbell; sophomores Christian Evanchec, Logan Hickey and Ben ThomaIn the mix: senior Tad Myers, sophomore Dominic Bozzo and freshman Devin CampbellOutlook: “We have to play our best just to be in the mix with Mars, Hampton and Shady Side Academy,” said Voltz.

Mars (boys)Coach: Tim Tyler, 12th season2012 finish: The Planets went 11-5 and placed second in their section.Home Course: Rittswood Golf CourseTop players returning: seniors Josh Bartley, Ben Mullins and Dane Zortman; junior Nick HardtIn the mix: junior Brandon FordOutlook: “We had some very good showings at tryouts,” said Tyler. “We’ll be in every match.”

Mars (girls) Coach: Ralph Jockel, 1st season2012 finish: The Planets lost just three matches and tied for second in their section.Home Course: Rittswood Golf CourseTop players returning: seniors Lauren Schaper and Michaela Mosler; sophomore Bridget MertenIn the mix: seniors Alexa DeSantes and Lizzie BakanOutlook: “Bridget Merten was a freshman phenom last year and is back as our No. 1,” said Jockel. “I’m hoping to finish as well as we did last year, if not better.”

MoniteauCoach: Sean Morrow, 5th season2012 finish: The Warriors were well below .500.Home Course: Shamrock Golf CourseTop players returning: sophomore Britton SimmonsIn the mix: senior Travis Genaway and junior Marcus FryOutlook: “We lost six seniors to graduation,” said Morrow. “Between Britton, Marcus and Travis, hopefully, they can step up for us.”

Seneca Valley (boys)Coach: Steve Mayes, 25th season2012 finish: SV was 7-6 overall and placed fourth in its section.Home Course: Cranberry Highlands Golf CourseTop players returning: junior Evan Hangliter (40.6 average)In the mix: junior Ross Bondo; sophomores Tyler Leake, Garrett Schlick and Andrew Smathers; freshman Scott HangliterOutlook: “It’s all going to depend on how quickly our young players mature,” Mayes said. “A lot of them are not familiar with the courses we’ll be playing. We have to play smart golf.”

Seneca Valley (girls)Coach: Lynn Wagner, 14th season2012 finish: The Raiders were 6-8.Home Course: Connoquenessing Country ClubTop players returning: seniors Alex Steighner, Jess Howard and Catie Dillon; sophomore Courtney WahlstromIn the mix: junior Meghan McNultyOutlook: “I think we have a really good team this year,” said Wagner. “We have some young players and I am looking forward to them being part of our future.”

Slippery Rock Coach: Merle Whitmer, 29th season2012 finish: The Rockets placed third in their region.Home Course: Oakview Golf ClubTop players returning: seniors Matt Badger and Mitchell May; junior Zac McCue and sophomores Collin Hyatt and Sam IsaccoIn the mix: sophomores Luke Barnhart and Ken RallOutlook: “Despite the loss of experience and talent from last year’s team (Brett Rinker, Bob Paczkowski and Levi Leonberg), I am optimistic that, with the improvement of some of our returning players, we could be competitive in Region 3 this season,” said Whitmer.

Union (boys)Coach: Ken Corle, 2nd season2012 finish: The Golden Knights were 4-8.Home Course: Clarion OaksTop players returning: seniors Trevor Corle and Chase Shirey; junior Zack Hepler and sophomore Hank MurphyIn the mix: junior Trent Shirey, sophomore Sutton Varner and freshman Kolby MontgomeryOutlook: “We will compete,” said Corle. “There shouldn’t be too many matches that we’re out of.”

Union (girls)Coach: Sherry Lockland, 3rd season2012 finish: N/AHome Course: Clarion OaksIn the mix: seniors Shannon Myers and Paige Whitmer; junior Kaylin Kinnan and sophomore Hailey SchrecengostOutlook: “These girls have potential,” said Lockland. “It’s just a matter of how much time they want to put into it.”