The 2019 season for the West Central Area boys golf team was a time for growth. Now, the Knights look to improve on scores from two years ago as head coach Kraig Hunter comes into this spring with high hopes.
“We have five golfers returning from our varsity team in 2019,” Hunter said. “Even though there wasn’t an official high school season in 2020, they have all played a lot of golf in the past year. We are expecting big improvement in our team scores and in our conference standing this year. We think this will be one of the better teams we’ve had in a while.”
Tate Christenson and Grant Beuckens lead the Knights as the two seniors on the roster. Junior Devin Benson, sophomore Peyton Hanson and freshman Mitch Dewey also return with varsity experience.
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Sophomore Parker Martinson, eighth-grader Sam Hanson and seventh-grader Marshall Dewey are new on the scene as athletes looking to push for varsity spots.
“Parker Martinson was one of our better JV players in 2019,” Hunter said. “Marshall Dewey has shown already in the first couple of days that he will be in the mix. Sam Hanson is another first-time player that shows potential.”
Hunter has 28 boys out for golf in grades 7-12 this spring, which is the largest number he’s ever had. He hopes it’ll help this group take the next step, especially near the greens.
“We will emphasize working a lot on the short game as well as the mental part of golf and maintaining a positive attitude at all times,” Hunter said.
The Knights will compete in the Quad County Conference against Ashby, Underwood, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, Rothsay, Ottertail Central, Long Prairie-Browerville, Ortonville, Pillager and Border West.
“We are new to Section 6A this year after moving from 5A,” Hunter said. “Being new to the section, I don’t know a lot about the teams further north. OTC, Underwood and Hillcrest should all be strong in our section.”
WEST CENTRAL AREA BOYS GOLF SCHEDULE
April 12\u0009at Tipinsah, 1 p.m.
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April 22\u0009at Balmoral, 12 p.m.
April 27\u0009at Thumper Pond, 1 p.m.
April 29\u0009at Pebble Lake, 1 p.m.
May 4\u0009\u0009at Tipinsah, 1 p.m.
May 6\u0009\u0009at Long Prairie Country Club, 1 p.m.
May 11\u0009\u0009at Ortonville, 10 a.m.
May 17\u0009at Tipinsah, 10 a.m.
