Head Coach Dan Olson has five of his six players from last year returning to a team that came within 14 strokes of making state.

 

Adam Schug was the only athlete of Olson’s that graduated. Olson is in his 15th year as head coach of the boys golf team.

 

The Bulldogs boys golf team took second place behind Cathedral (647) at sections last June with a team score of 661.

 

“We have five returning players and so does Cathedral so I think it’s going to be tit-for-tat this year for the Granite Ridge title,” said Olson.

 

Coach Olson stresses that conference titles are nice for the prestige and trophy case, but not the ultimate goal for his players and team.

 

“Conference titles are nice but it doesn’t matter if you finish first in the conference if you end up losing out in sections and don’t go to state,” he said. “Winning sections is the end prize and that’s far more important than a conference title.”

 

Returning to the team this year are junior Brandon Abrahamson, senior Caleb Foster, sophomore Alex Stanz (2015 GRC All-Conference Honorable Mention), senior Michael Sogard (2015 GRC All-Conference) and junior Jackson Fluck (2015 GRC All Conference and tied for 19th at the AA State tournament).

 

Senior Nick Cencer, junior Reed Erson, freshman Austin Seavert and seventh-grader Zach Stanz will be competing for the sixth spot on varsity.

 

Sogard was chosen to be Olson’s sole captain on this year’s team.

 

“I got a swing coach (Jeff   Running) in the off-season so I’ve made a few minor tweaks to my game, straightened out my drive and stuff,” said Sogard. “I put some new clubs in the bag and a new driver and two new wedges that are paying off so far in the season.”

 

With the early spring weather and a snowless golf course in March, Olson’s team has been able to get their practicing done in the great outdoors as opposed to practicing their swings, stances and grips in the confines of the wrestling room.

 

“The weather has been pretty good this spring and it’s definitely helpful for the kids to be able to actually play a few rounds outside before the season starts,” said Olson.

 

Most people who understand the game of golf know the game is more than just having the physical ability to score low. One of the most important — if not the most important — part of golf is played in the mind and not on the course. Coach Olson’s job is to work on the player’s thought processes as they traverse the course during a meet.

 

“I’m here to make sure their minds are in the right place  and make minor changes on the course as needed to any other element of their game,” said Olson. “I’m tasked to make sure their mental game is where it needs to be.”

 

Olson has Nate Doimer as his assistant coach, a new face to the team but Olson is excited to have his talents and teaching abilities. Doimer is a Becker High School English teacher.

 

One of the brightest spots from last year was Fluck qualifying as an individual for the state tournament at the Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan. Olson hopes that situation occurs again, with maybe two or three more teammates joining Fluck with a shot at a state title.

 

“I really have wanted to see some of these kids achieve their goals and I’m hoping this is our year,” said Olson. I’m really excited to see how things play out.”

 

The boys start the season April 6 at Monticello and follow that up with their first home meet, April 11 against 19 area teams.