Seniors, freshmen to power 2014 Bulldog golf team
<p>The Sandpoint golf team is the largest it’s been in years, with the boys team standing a great shot at earning a state berth. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)</p>
SANDPOINT — A pair of talented seniors will join a pair of strong freshman newcomers to give the Sandpoint boys golf team a legitimate shot at state, as the 2014 season tees off in North Idaho.
Seniors David Currie and Jared Presnell return with plenty of varsity experience and are capable of posting low scores, while freshmen Max Toenjes and Dylan Dufenhorst come in with plenty of experience and should be right on the heels of the seniors.
Sandpoint head coach Tom Tharp feels like this is the strongest team he’s had since he started coaching again, with the boys right in the mix to win districts.
“This is the best shot we’ve had, it’s real even in league,” said Tharp. “Our goal is to get to state and do well, and we’ve got five solid players. They’re good golfers and they’re pretty serious, I don’t have a bunch of screw-offs.”
Currie injured his elbow and gutted out an 88 in the season opener at Lewiston, and might have to miss part of the season. Tharp said the key for Currie, the leading scorer for the past couple years who has posted occasional scores in the 70’s, is his attitude and the ability to mash the ball.
“He’s real calm, doesn’t get too rattled anymore,” said Tharp. “He can pump it out a good 300 yards when he connects.”
Tharp has been preaching the mantra “one shot at a time” to his golfers. He believes if Presnell, who plans to attend USC or Arizona State on academic scholarship, just trusts his ability to play each shot and not over-think things, he could post some scored in the 70’s as well.
Senior Lewis Dunton, senior Noah Faude and senior captain Tyson Bird will vie for the fifth spot behind the two aforementioned freshmen, with Faude the early favorite. Tharp believes Toenjes could open some eyes with his clean play.
“He’s been playing for quite a while. He’s level, good demeanor, doesn’t get upset, doesn’t get ruffled,” described Tharp, whose freshman opened his varsity career with an 86 in Clarkston. “He’s a long and straight player.”
Leading the girls team will be senior Katelynn McConnell, who posted a solid 103 to start the season. Freshman Nina McDonnell could emerge as well, with Tharp feeling she could break 100 by the end of the season.
Rounding out the girls team will be seniors Sage Martin, Ellie Faulkner-Monks and Cassie Young, and freshman Caroline Hawkins.
The Idaho Club will host the Sandpoint Invitational home meet on May 1, and also the regional tournament on May 6, giving high school golfers the opportunity to play the lone Jack Nicklaus designed course in Idaho.
Sandpoint is at Lewiston on Monday.