Head Coach Dan Olson returns for his 20th season leading the Becker boys golf team and after not being able to compete a year ago due to the season being canceled, his squad is anxious to tee it up for the Bulldogs.

This year will mark a return to the Mississippi 8 Conference for the team after competing in the Granite Ridge for several seasons.  While Olson is familiar with a few of the teams, he is unsure of exactly what to expect.

“Our team goal is just to have fun as we have no idea what to expect for competition in the M8 as it is nothing like it was our last time in it,” says Olson.  “The only two teams that we have seen on a consistent basis are Big Lake and Monticello.”

While Olson isn’t sure what to expect from the competition, he does have a great deal of confidence in his own players, many of whom were able to gain a lot of practice on the course a year ago.  

“I have a healthy Zach Stanz this season, so I am excited to see what he can do leading the other four seniors that will start the year off on varsity,” says the coach.

Olson plans to start the season with five seniors written into the lineup in Stanz (captain), Ethan Tobako, Tucker Rhodes, Brock Ramola and Matthew Martindale.  Each of those players return to the team with previous experience and Olson believes that could lead to a competitive team.

“My seniors were at the course during last summer and fall so I am hopeful that our team will average around 320,” says Olson.   “I have no idea how my younger kids will be as that is probably the biggest impact of losing last season.”

So far, Brayden Graning and Grayson Kipka are looking like the front runners to compete for the sixth spot for the first two meets.  

In all, Olson has 18 players on the team and while that is a healthy number, he would welcome more players.

“With the addition of lacrosse, trap team and bass team, along with other sports, kids have so many [spring] choices,” says Olson.

This season, the MSHSL is allowing only 72 players at any given meet, while in the past a normal meet would consist of 96 athletes.  The M8 Conference is still working to develop the guidelines that will apply to this year’s meets.

While the meets might look a little different, Olson knows that Pebble Creek will be up for whatever challenges the season might present.

“Pebble Creek staff have always treated us well,” says Olson.  “Ian has gone above and beyond the call of duty to work with our program.”

The team will kick off its season Tues., April 13 with a meet in Monticello.