HSCHS golf navigates through 3A golf just fine

THERMOPOLIS - Competing in Class 3A this season, after winning back-to-back championships in 2A, had its challenges for the HSCHS Bobcat golf team but the team rose to the occasion. The boys team finished third at the rain-shortened state tournament in Powell and junior Hudson Roling is the reigning 3A boys golf champion.

Bobcat coach Jacob Smith thought his team did very well this season and was proud of their improvement. "I saw a lot of progress universally with the kids," coach Smith said. "We had trouble pulling it together and scoring on the weekends unfortunately, but there was a lot of positive improvement. My underclassmen improved a lot this fall and hopefully keep doing so this spring that way we will have another competitive team next year. I liked what I saw from Colton Dobbins, Justin Jeffs and Jaxon Davis all had solid performances on the JV team which I was happy to see."

The second day of the 3A State Tournament in Powell was cancelled due to rain and for the Bobcats who were only five strokes out of first place, it was an anti-climactic end to the season.

"We were pretty bummed out to not have that second day. We had an opportunity to do well in the first day and that didn't work out but we felt like it was like calling a football game at halftime. There was more to be done and we had more to say and unfortunately we didn't have the chance to do it.

"We felt like we were in the hunt and had something to prove to ourselves and others. So hopefully this summer we can hash out a contingency plan, because this season I had four seniors who didn't get to finish their senior season and that was hard," said coach Smith.

Two seniors coach Smith felt would have moved up the leaderboard with a second day were Kaylee Smith and Jake Maksin. "Kaylee Smith was a few strokes out of all-state and that was a bummer she didn't have the chance to get there. Jake Maksin didn't have a great first day and he was eager to get out and put himself back in the top 10 and didn't get the chance," said coach Smith.

Even with the shortened state tournament Smith was appreciative of host Powell and thought the Powell Golf Club grounds team did a tremendous job given the circumstances. "I was very thankful for Powell putting together a great tournament and (Powell High School golf) coach (Troy) Hildebrand did a fantastic job. The golf course was in great shape and the golf pro and groundskeeper were perfectly gracious. You knew they felt awful they couldn't do that second day but there was just no way to play," said coach Smith.

Some of the highlights this season for coach Smith were seeing his team develop and watching the hard work put in by his newly minted 3A champion.

"The whole season there were highlights. There were great things every week. I loved watching Hudson perform. Primarily that was because I saw all the work he put in. He took a conditioning class, was lifting two days a week was out at the driving range for an hour each morning perfecting his swing and making it a never miss swing. He was committed during practice and as long as he had sunlight, stayed for an hour or two after practice working on things on his own. He was up at the course just about everyday this summer and was really putting in time on his golf game and it paid off in a big way. He was also a great leader by example and voice," said Smith.

Coach Smith spoke a little more about Roling and his other all-state selection Caleb DeCroo. "I was happy to help him reach this goal. I know he wants another one and we talked on the bus ride home and he feels a little bit robbed. He's taken it upon himself that not having the second day cheapens his championship, which is a bummer. And we're talking about how to get around that idea because he played a good round but he wasn't happy with it because his wedges were off and he was very ready to play better the second day," Smith said.

He added, "There are some great golfers in 3A but I have no doubt that the second day would have shaken out the same way. We could not be more proud of his accomplishment there and of Caleb DeCroo for also finishing top ten and grabbing an all-state selection."

With Roling returning next season with a chip on his shoulder coach Smith sees that as a positive but also wants his golfer to still be proud of his accomplishment. "It's encouraging that he wants to come back and do more but feels like there is an asterisk by it kind of. And I'm not happy about that because I want him to be satisfied with a good performance because it was a good performance and I'm proud of everything he's done," said coach Smith.

Looking ahead to next season Smith cannot wait for his younger players to step-up as well as some new additions. "I'm excited for the spring and the opportunity to develop my younger golfers to be ready to fill the shoes of the seniors who are leaving," said coach Smith. "I'm excited for the prospect of having another strong young golfer coming up next year in Hardy Johnson. He's been playing in the Rocky Mountain Junior Tour and putting up scores in the 70's. So hopefully next year we will have a first and second at state."