Bill Miller returns for his “15-ish” year as the Big Lake Hornet boys golf team head coach. He has 11 boys who have come out for the team and they include: Tyler Anderson, Ryker Stukenholtz, Riley Siegrist, Aidan Johnson, Nick Selbitschka, Henry Knier, Jacob McDonald, Blake Anderson, Max Worley, John McCormack, and Josh Peterson.

Miller’s assistant coach is Jennifer Neaton.

“One of the challenges I’ve faced over the years is always finding enough guys to fill the squad,” said Miller. “(However), starting them out as youngsters and watching them grow as golfers and into young men is very rewarding.”

Miller’s captains this year are Tyler Anderson and Ryker Stukenholz, who are both seniors. 

“They have been with the program since at least middle school and both are great leaders for the team,” Miller says. 

Miller says his boys don’t really do any strength training to gear up for the season but they do conduct their own stretching and routines before swinging a club. 

“I think the most important thing to me, as a coach is to have fun as a team with our main goal to make it to day two of sections.

“That has never happened before,” he says. 

Miller would be amiss if he didn’t acknowledge his love for the game and coaching has come from someone very close to himself.

“My dad taught me a lot about coaching and golf,” he says. 

Miller says mental toughness is the biggest challenge to coach and it is certainly a major struggle for his guys.

“Getting in the right headspace before meets,” he says in regards to focus and mental toughness. “If they can get that figured out I believe we can reach our goal.”

Miller is a custodial supervisor at Independence School. The team is scheduled to play their first match April 12 at Bulrush Golf Course in Rush City. Teams competing will be North Branch, Becker, Cambridge-Isanti, Chisago Lakes, Monticello, Princeton and St. Francis.