Spring Sports Special: Wise expects Kimball golfers to be 'competitive'

It may be hard to duplicate the success the Kimball High boys golf team experienced a year ago, but coach Chad Wise feels he has a group that is going to be pretty competitive.

"I think we can be pretty good this season and should be competitive in all of our tournaments," said Wise.

You readers should remember that last year Kimball had two state qualifiers and two state medalists in what I termed was perhaps the best one-two punch for Kimball golf ever. Only half of that one-two punch is back as Henry Heeg graduated and is now involved in college golf in California. The other half however returns as Jordan Greenwood, in just his sophomore year, after an amazing freshman year, is back and ready to compete again at a high level.

Jordan was a top ten medalist all season with the exception of the opening tournament. He finished runnerup medalist at both conference tournaments, was 5th at the district tournament, and finished 11th at the state tournament to earn his state tournament top 15 medal. He was named to the Star Herald All Region second team. In the off season this past summer he participated in several prestigious junior tournaments and worked almost every day on his game during that off season. He certainly is ready to go this year as he recorded his first ever hole in one on the opening day of the Four Winds Golf Course. Let the games begin!

With Greenwood expected to once again perform at a high level, coach Wise feels he has other young men who are ready to step up their games and join Greenwood at the medal stand. Three other letter winners return along with Greenwood including the lone senior on the team, Michael Ferguson, who will provide not only solid golf, but also experience and leadership to help the younger players. Sophomores Spencer Shields and Kyle Spicer both lettered last year as freshmen and both have also worked hard on their games and should show vast improvement this season. The balance of the 8 member team are all freshmen including Andrew McCloud, Garrett Pedersen, Kole Bush, and Joel Evertson.

With the nice weather we have had, the team has been working hard on their games under the direction of coach Wise who is also the Four Winds Professional. With the nice weather, the Longhorns are itching to get the season underway but they have a short wait ahead of them as the opening tournament is April 7 at Bayard. They won't play the home course until May 7 when they host the Kimball Invite. The schedule shows 9 tournaments prior to the district tournament. One thing we know is the attitude is right with a group of young men who want to improve on their games and work hard to make the varsity five. Should be an interesting season for certain.