Members of the Perkins County boys golf team are (front row, l-r): Kaden Smith, Carson Thelander, Logan Hansen. Back row: Coach Troy Kemling, Aaron Fay, Michael Beck, Tyson Patrick, Josh Johnston. Not pictured: James Wright and Jacob Woodmancy.
Tee time for the Plainsmen
Nine Plainsmen make up the PC boys golf team this year, and will once again be under the direction of Coach Troy Kemling.
Last season the team took second place at districts and finished sixth at state.
“The 2018 season promises to be a memorable year for the Plainsmen golfers. We return tremendous experience coupled with high expectations. Success at state from the previous year has motivated the team to invest more time in their individual games this past summer. I have been pleased with the buy-in,” said Kemling.
Three seniors lead the team, Michael Beck, a third-year letter winner; Tyson Patrick, third-year letter winner and top 10 at 2017 state tournament; and Josh Johnston, also a third-year letter winner, who took ninth at the 2015 state tournament, and fifth last year at state.
Aaron Fay is the only team member representing the junior class, while there are five sophomores: Logan Hansen, Carson Thelander, Kaden Smith, Jacob Woodmancy and James Wright.
Kemling said that he stresses the importance of class and etiquette over winning. “I expect our team to be the classiest acting team at every tournament we attend. That involves being gracious in winning and in defeat, being honest, and working hard to improve every part of our game.”
In addition to the three leading seniors on the team, who he knows they will rely heavily on, Kemling said he feels he has a good wide spread level of talent on the team. “I expect Fay, Thelander and Woodmancy to compete for varsity time early in the season. As the season progresses, my younger players should improve and be challenging for varsity time.”
The first meet for the PC boys will be on Thursday, March 29 at Creek Valley at 2:30 p.m., and the following Tuesday they will head to Dundy County for a 10 a.m. tee-off.
“Kimball is the favorite to repeat as conference and district champions as they return a very strong team. I would expect Valentine to also be in the running for districts this year,” Kemling said of their competition.
Ten meets are scheduled for the Plainsmen before districts on May 14. The PC invite is set for April 17.