With the amount of returning varsity experience on the Dickinson High boys golf team, there's plenty of reason for optimism.
The Midgets bring back four of their top six golfers including junior Chandler Pender, who recorded his team's second best score at the Class A state tournament in Dickinson.
The defending WDA tournament champions have two seniors in Cole Baker and John O'Brien, and will also look for contribution from sophomore Jarl Abrahamson.
"Even though Jarl is just a sophomore, this group has quite a bit of varsity experience," Dickinson High coach Sara Berglund said. "They've been practicing and putting their time in. I'm hoping they pull through and have a really good year."
The fifth spot in the lineup belongs to freshman Tanner Halter, who Berglund said actually golfed in a few varsity meets last year, but missed the postseason cut. Senior Mike Malkowski is the front-runner for the final varsity position, Berglund said.
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Pender said he sees depth as an advantage.
"We should be pretty deep with our top six," Pender said. "We have a lot of experience right now. We all feel pretty comfortable where we're at. We know what our coach expects out of us."
Abrahamson said the Midgets are itching to compete.
"We are really anxious to play, so it'll be fun when we get out there and start playing some tournaments," Abrahamson said.
The Midgets' first meet is scheduled for Friday in Sidney, Mont. where all of the WDA schools will be. The Midgets got their first taste of outdoor action when they were able to use the driving range at the Pheasant County Golf Course in South Heart on Tuesday.
"I feel really privileged that we got to hit on the range," Berglund said. "South Heart's being really good to us, letting us come out and practice. Just being outside ... we've been waiting to do that for so long. It kind of gives you that feeling like golf is actually starting. It's not the same unless you're outside."
