Currie, Presnell lead Bulldog golf team in '13

SANDPOINT — As far as honing your golf game goes, there are worse places to practice than the Idaho Club.

Last summer, a group of Sandpoint golfers got to practice once a week at the Jack Nicklaus-designed course, which should pay dividends this golf season.

Juniors David Currie and Jared Presnell will lead a strong boys team this season, with designs on breaking through and qualifying the whole team for state. For Currie, who starts the season No. 1, the key will be keeping a level head from start to finish, as he’s got all of the requisite physical tools.

“If he can keep a positive attitude, he should do well,” said Bulldogs head coach Tom Tharp. “He’s consistent, and he can hit it straight.”

Presnell figures to join Currie in the low 80’s and if all goes well, the high 70’s. Tharp said he put in the most effort and work to improve this summer, and pairs with Currie for a solid-one-two punch atop the lineup.

“Jared is determined, pretty straight and his short game is good,” described Tharp. “He has a good attitude and he’s serious about it.”

Rounding out the boys team will be juniors Tyson Bird (captain), Christian Cook, Noah Faude and Nate Lunde, and senior Adam Murray.

“The goal is to get the boys team to state as a team,” said Tharp. “It’s been a long time since that happened.”

The girls team will be led by junior Katelynn McConnell, senior captain Anna Aylward, and when they’re not playing other sports and for districts, possibly Taylor Martin and Darby Scrimsher.

Currie, who carded a 79 at the Idaho Club last summer, has designs on getting to state. He knows he has to keep a positive attitude to succeed, as golf is arguably the most mental sport in high school.

“I want to achieve a state goal,” he said, adding what it will take. “Focus and a good attitude.”