The Becker girls golf team has a new instructor this year as Steve Whittaker steps down to coach the boys JV golf team and Nate Doimer steps in to fill some pretty big shoes.

 

“He’s (Whittaker) a great guy to have around,” Doimer says. “He’s so knowledgeable and great with the kids. I’ll bounce ideas off him throughout the year.”

 

Doimer had been the girls JV coach for the last three years and has been playing golf since he was about 10 years old. He says he is looking forward to his first year as a head coach.

 

The team is light in attendance with six girls vying for spots on the team. The team consists of two seniors (Macy Erson and Ellie Goth), three sophomores (Hannah Garcia, Jenna Voigt and Hailey Uecker) as well as an eighth-grader, Gretchen Graftaas.

 

Erson has been chosen by Doimer to be his sole captain.

 

“She is an experienced player at the varsity level,” he said.  “I look to her to always have a positive attitude, help her teammates, and set the standard for hard work. She possesses all these qualities. I’m excited about the leadership she’ll provide.”

 

Becker’s biggest rival year-in and year-out when it comes to girls golf is the girls from “up north."

 

“Our biggest rival in both conference and sections this year is probably St. Cloud Cathedral,” said Doimer. “They have a solid team each and every year.”

 

Last year’s team featured state participant Rachel Vogl and veteran golfer, Erica Brovold. Vogl finished 31st at state. The girls team took third at sections, just behind Osakis and Cathedral.

 

Each year — no matter who the coach is — the expectations are always high for the girls golf team. With the success of last year’s team and Vogl’s individual performance, Doimer knows it’s a level that is going to be hard to retain, but he’s confident he has a good core of golfers ready to take on the challenge.

 

“Ultimately, I’d like to see these ladies continue to grow as players and improve on last season’s scores,” he said. “I think Becker will represent well in sections if we do that.”

 

In preparation for the start of this year’s season, Doimer’s team has been hitting long balls into the nets in the wrestling room and fine-tuning their short games outdoors on the grassy areas around the school. He is (and his athletes) excited to get the season started and the golf courses opened up for practices and play.

 

 

“ I’m really enjoying the experience so far,” Doimer said of being a head coach. 

 

“I get to be around the game I love and get to share it with the next generation of players,” he said. “The best part of this season so far was when Pebble Creek opened and we got to be outside. The worst part was the anticipation of the course opening. After a week and a half of hitting into a net, everyone was ready to be outdoors.”

 

The girls kick off their 2017 season at home April 13 against BOLD.