Outlaws golfers swing into season

Outlaws varsity golf squads are practicing hard and ready to swing into the season ahead.

The boys squad returns four veteran varsity players, including seniors Cody Farr-Baenziger, Jonathan Standen, Aaron Simundson and junior Jeff Fought. All four players have state tournament experience and know what it's like to perform at a high level.

The squad had a very high turnout this year, and according to coach Jeff Barton there are some very promising freshmen and sophomores. The team is waiting to see who will fill the fifth and final spot on the squad.

Barton told The Nugget that the goal for this year's team is to make a return appearance at the state tournament.

The girls golf team returns just one player, Stephanie Cole, who will start her second year as a varsity golfer. Cole was a top-five finisher at the district tournament last year, and coach Mary Flande will look to her this year for leadership on the team.

Senior Trish Erickson has been involved in the program since her freshman year and this year will play her first season at the varsity level. Flande noted that her experience at the JV level will help her easily make the transition to varsity.

Junior McKenzie Gellings is a first-year golfer, along with senior Sara Marcus and freshman Holly Chapman. Flande told The Nugget these girls will play at the JV level, and she's looking forward to having all three players a part of the team. Flande hopes that by the end of the season these players will be able to play at the varsity level.

Flande said, "We're very young and very inexperienced, except for Stephanie. This is a great group of young ladies, and I'm looking forward to working with all of them. I know they will work hard to improve throughout the season. These kids have very positive attitudes and a willingness to learn the game. It will be fun to see the growth and improvement throughout the season."

Both teams were to play their first match of the season at Crooked River Ranch on Wednesday, March 17.