West Central Area boys' golf: Knights welcome in young talent

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Youth will replace experience on the West Central Area boys’ golf team this year and will make it tough for the Knights to repeat as Sub-section champions.

“We really had a nice run the last couple of years with a strong 2012 class,” said head coach Kraig Hunter, whose Knights won the Sub-section title two of the last three years. “Most of them were members of both our sub-section championship teams.”

Gone from the squad are five players, including Matt Wagner, who advanced to state last year and was a member of the Heart O’ Lakes All-Conference team. Also gone are Calvin Anderson, Brad Westrom, Kent Kjesbo and Mike Engler.

Hunter does return a former letter winner in sophomore Hunter Pfingsten. He also has some talented newcomers in junior Zach Cunningham, sophomore Jordan Bruns and 8th grader James Wiese.

“Hunter is the only returning player that brings a lot of varsity experience, and he is a very dedicated player,” said the coach. “We are looking for Zach and Jordan to step forward this year, and James is also a dedicated golfer that should push for a varsity spot.”

“It will be fun to work with some new, younger golfers and trying to get them to improve throughout the year. We will obviously be very young with no seniors and only one junior, but we have a real nice group of 19 young players in grades 7-10 that we are excited to work with this year.”

Once again, the Heart O’ Lakes Conference looks to be very deep with perennial powerhouses Perham and Hawley again at the forefront. “Frazee and Pelican Rapids will also field good teams,” said Hunter.

In the section, Hunter looks at Dawson-Boyd and Ortonville to pace the other teams.

Hunter, who is in his sixth year as head coach, will be assisted by Jody Brasel and David Drexler.

WEST CENTRAL AREA BOYS’ GOLF SCHEDULE

April 18 at Pelican Rapids, 5 p.m.

April 20 at Minnewaska, 9 a.m.

April 22 at Hawley, 2 p.m.

April 29 at Perham, 2 p.m.

May 2 at Frazee, 5 p.m.

May 6 at Barnesville, 5 p.m.

May 9 at Breckenridge, 2 p.m.

May 13 at Dilworth-GF, 9 a.m.

May 21 HOL champ at Pelican Rapids, 2 p.m.

May 23 Subsection, Minnewaska, 9 a.m.

May 30 Section, Benson, 9 a.m.

Tags: west central area sports, sports, knights, boys, golf