For the first time in several years, the Becker girls golf team will have experience on its side as it gears up for a successful 2021 season.  Having that veteran leadership is something new for Head Coach Anna Babler as she enters her third season at the helm of the team.

“We’ve had a pretty young team the past few years and this is the first time since 2018 that we have had seniors,” says Babler, who is in her 7th year overall as a golf coach.  “The girls have come a long way since they started so I am hoping to continue to improve our overall team scores, have fun and have a successful season.”

Leading the way for the Bulldogs will be Senior Captain Gretchen Graftaas, who has been on the varsity team since she was in 8th grade. 

She will be joined by classmates Kylee Rick and Ashley Reed, giving the team 3 Seniors among its ten varsity and JV players.

The team also includes Junior Evelyn Eich, Sophomore Emma Benson,  Freshmen Alexa Voller, Avery Johnson, Nora Pilarski and Hannah Hyttsten and 8th grader Layla Mathews.

“This is our best turnout since I started coaching,” says Babler.  “I am excited about having a little competition between our own team with filling spots because the girls will have to have some play-offs in practice to compete for the top six spots.”

Despite this being the first year that the team is back in the Mississippi 8 Conference with larger enrollment schools, Babler still expects her team to compete hard and score well at the meets.

“This will be our first year competing in the new conference and I am anticipating this conference to be a bit tougher than the last one,” says Babler.  “But I think our girls will do great!”

Babler thinks her team will be ready coming out of the game, despite the fact they did not have a season a year ago.  Many of the girls spent a considerable amount of time at the course developing their sikills.

“Most of girls did the get the opportunity to golf all last summer,” says Babler. “Fortunately golf was one of those sports that could be played all last summer and into fall.”

The season kicks off for Babler and the team with a home meet scheduled for Thursday, April 8.  Sections are scheduled for June 4-5 in Park Rapids.