This season looks promising for the 14 boys playing golf for Sweet Home, coach Tom Horn says.
Several varsity golfers are returning to the team, which started practice at Mallard Creek Golf Course on Feb. 21.
The team will be led by senior three-year lettermen Sam Waller and Sean McGuyre, as well as senior Ryan Elliott, who started playing high school golf last year.
Waller was third in the district and played in the state golf tournament as a junior. He will be looking to improve on the middle-of-the-pack finish he had last year at the state tournament at Eagle Crest Resort. Horn predicts Waller will be one of the favorites to win the district individual crown this spring.
McGuyre is expected to be another bright spot for the Huskies.
“Sean McGuyre has worked at his game over the last year and will be one of the big surprises in the Conference and very well could contend for one of the top five individual spots available for the state tournament,” Horn said.
He said Elliott is “a good athlete” who will solidify the number three spot on the varsity squad.
Sophomores Taylor Huschka and Nic Zahler, and freshman Travis Ramoz will battle for the remaining two spots on the varsity squad.
“All have shown promise so far this season,” Horn said.
The junior varsity will feature a number of young players who lack experience on the course, but Horn predicts they will be putting pressure on the varsity with more time on the course. They include junior Alex Moser, sophomores Markus Thedford, Anthony Powers, Jerod Severns and Jon Lemar. Freshmen Ricky Burnside and David Worthen round out the team.
The boys open their season March 21 at Tokatee Golf course. They also are scheduled to play in the North Salem Invitational, the Phoenix Invitational in Medford and the Sweet Home-Lebanon Invitational at Mallard Creek.
Horn expects the boys to be in the mix for one of two team spots available to district teams in the state tournament.
“For the first time in a long time, the league has no clear-cut team favorite,” he said. “Sisters has the odds-on favorite to win the individual crown, but does not have the depth they normally have.”
He said the Huskies will be in the mix with Molalla, Cascade and Sisters for a shot at winning the district trophy.
Boys Golf
Schedule may be subject to change. If in doubt, check weekly schedule in The New Era
Monday, March 20 JV at Arrowhead (nine holes) 3 p.m.
Tuesday, March 21 Varsity at Tokatee 1 p.m.
Monday, April 3 JV at Mallard Creek (nine holes) 3 p.m.
Tuesday, April 4 Varsity at Arrowhead 1 p.m.
Wednesday, April 5 Varsity at Mallard Creek 1 p.m.
Monday, April 10 JV at Battle Creek (nine holes) 4 p.m.
Tuesday, April 11 Varsity at Aspen Lakes 1 p.m.
Monday, April 17 JV at Santiam (nine holes) 4 p.m.
Tuesday, April 18 Varsity at Mallard Creek-counter 1 p.m.
Wednesday, April 19 Varsity at Salem 1 p.m.
Monday, April 24 JV at Trysting Tree (18 holes) 2 p.m.
Tuesday, April 25 Varsity at Santiam-counter 1 p.m.
Wednesday, April 26 Varsity at Stoneridge (Phoenix) 1 p.m.
Monday, May 1 JV Districts at Battle Creek (18 holes) 1 p.m.
Tuesday, May 2 Varsity at Black Butte-counter 1 p.m.
Monday, May 8 Varsity Districts at Arrowhead TBA
Tuesday, May 9 Varsity Districts at Arrowhead TBA