Even with five players back from a team that went to state last year, the Williston boys golf squad will have a lot of questions to start the year.
The reason is they haven't gotten a chance to practice on a local course.
"We'll be behind the dome guys in Bismarck and Mandan, and Dickinson has been open for a couple of weeks. We'll just have to start a little slower, stay patient and catch up a little at a time," said Coyotes coach Dennis Healy.
The Coyotes will open up the season at the Century Invite at Apple Creek Country Club in Bismarck Monday. Healy is looking to play the part of the jungle cat, hiding among the trees and then pouncing.
"We'd like to hang around the middle of the pack and on a good day maybe shake up the golf giants," he said.
The potential is certainly there as three-year starter Michael DeLorme leads an able group. DeLorme expects to shoot in the 70s, while Healy is hoping two or three others can join him by the end of the year.
"That's our goal," he stated.
DeLorme will be shooting to finish as one of the top golfers in the state after taking sixth in the state tournament and third in the West Region last year. The senior and All-State player averaged 80.2 on the year, but had five rounds in the 70s.
"Every year you like to see a kid improve and I hope Michael can shoot well again and exhibit the kind of leadership he did last year," said Healy.
Also back is senior Joe Kemp, who averaged 85.3 last year and should be the No. 2 man this year. "He'll be a good senior leader and he's real competitive," said Healy.
Sophomores McCade Evanson (86.6) and Heath Glenn (89.4) also return along with eighth-grader B.J. Mahar (88.2). Mahar and Evanson shot low rounds of 80 last year, and Evanson shot an 81.
"I expect those guys to be able to push Joe and Michael at times," said Healy.
With the strong nucleus back Healy won't have to spend much time on the fundamentals with the varsity. The junior varsity is another matter.
"We some guys just learning the game and some that have played a casual round here and there. I keep telling our veterans to help the more inexperienced guys any time they can. Someone must have helped them along the way," said Healy.
Returning junior varsity players are junior Ryan Thoreson, sophomore Robby Keehn, while newcomers are freshmen Derek Anderson, Preston Binde, Cody Bradley, Kyle Cullen, Garret Flesness, Ryan Jessen, Sam Johnson, Nate Smith and James Taverna.
Healy said the West will be tough this year with a number of teams with a solid number of returners. Bismarck, St. Mary's and Century will be early favorites, with Williston, Minot and Dickinson looking to move up. Mandan could be a little down with a lot of youth, but the Braves do have a number of players that got time on the courses last year.
The Coyotes are looking forward to getting the year going. "They want to see how they stack up against the rest of the West," said Healy.
Willliston will play in the Dickinson Invite April 18-19, with the two-day event split between Bully Pulpit in Medora and Dickinson's Heart River Golf Course.
It will give the Coyotes a preview of the West Region and state meets, which will be played at Hear River this year.
"We're looking forward to moving forward and getting back to state," said Healy.
Comments