Young Bulldog golfers tee off season on Monday

SANDPOINT — Youth will be served for the Sandpoint golf team in 2012, as a team full of underclassmen will try and drive, putt and chip their way to a state berth.

Leading the way will be sophomore David Currie, who posted some scores in the mid-80’s last season and missed out on an individual state berth by just two strokes. He’ll start the season as the No. 1 player on a young boys team, and his goal is simple.

“I want to make it to state,” said Currie, leading a boys team with five sophomores and one freshman. “It will take practice, mental toughness and a good attitude.”

Head coach Tom Tharp, who replaces Jim Alsager, is excited by the team’s ultimate potential. He coached the Bulldogs for a couple years in the early 90’s, and has worked with many of the players in his capacity as manager of the Elks.

Jared Presnell will start the season as the No. 2 golfer, and boasts a 79 on the Elks course as his personal best. Rounding out the boys team will be Noah Faude, Christian Cook, Tyson Bird and Nate Loutzenhiser.

Per usual, the team has spent the first two weeks chipping balls into nets and garbage cans in the wrestling room, eagerly awaiting some actual course time.

“There will be some vast improvement when they get outside,” said Tharpe, noting the team will practice at the Elks once the snow melts. “It isn’t much fun for them in the gym, but they have a positive attitude. The long range potential is good with a young team.”

Junior Anna Aylward is the lone girl on the team at this point, and will be looking to improve on her personal best of 115.

Tharp has been tooling with each player’s grip, acknowledging the importance of the basics in crafting a solid golf game.

The Bulldogs tee off the season on Monday, at the Clarkston Invite, in the team’s first actual time on a course.