Wampus Cats building up golf program
CLARK FORK — It was hard to tell what was most interesting at a recent golf practice at Clark Fork High School, as the team prepared for its first meet today in Plains.
It might have been the makeshift driving range, where six golfers chipped balls off square carpet samples into a muddy field with a large slash pile of freshly-cut trees right in the middle.
Or it may have been the small group of golfers on the 10 yard line of the football field, ripping drives and long irons into round nets.
Or it could have been the subsequent relay, where each golfer raced up and down the football field with their golf bags hoisted above their heads, as teammates cheered and laughed at the same time.
Before you feel too sorry for the less than ideal golfing conditions, realize the team will soon be practicing at the Idaho Club once the Jack Nicklaus course finally opens, completing a sort of rags to riches golf story.
Welcome to Wampus Cat golf, and a glimpse into golf at a small 1A North Idaho school.
“A lot of these guys have never played a round and it’s tough when you can only hit into a net,” said head coach K.C. MacDonald of his 13 member team. “I expect some pretty cool things to happen.”
Leading the girls team will be captain Paige Gear, a junior who hopes to break 100 after posting a career low 114 last season. MacDonald thinks she has a good shot to qualify individually for state in just her second year in the sport.
“It will take a lot of practice and playing with heart,” said Gear. “I’m hoping to go to state.”
The boys will be led by senior Bryce Bare, whose best round was a 130 in his first year of golf last season. He hopes to break 100 this year and do well at districts.
“Everybody on the team is a first or second year player,” said Bare of the five-person boys team. “There will be a lot of training.”
Having yet to get out on an actual course, and with mostly inexperienced players, MacDonald isn’t sure who will step up into the other varsity spots.
Vying for spots on the team will be Kalee Sears, Kimber Taylor, Tabitha Van Buren, Leanna Wilder, Tess Vogel and Joann Johnson on the girls team, and Ryan Barnett, Christian Taylor and David Thibault on the boys side.
The Wampus Cats open the season today in Plains.