The Arlington boys golf team was supposed to start its season March 30 against Omaha Concordia at Fremont Golf Club.
The weather forecast wasn't having it.
“It was a little tough to call it,” AHS coach Scott Parson said. “I really want the guys to get out and play, but with the cold northern wind up to 30 mph, wind chill close to 30 degrees and bare trees providing little to no cover — we felt that the day would just be miserable.”
So, as a result, the Eagles won't start the spring campaign until Wednesday in Valley. They play 18 holes at The Pines County Club starting at 9 a.m.
By then, Arlington will be well practiced. Prior to the canceled first date of the season, Parson said the Eagles had traveled to and hit balls at Fremont Golf Club five times. They played the back nine holes, the front nine holes and completed two-man scrambles in preparation for actual competition.
AHS even took short shots at their hometown's Bell Creek Park to practice.
“Strengths so far have been that some of our athletes are able to adjust and correct swings based on certain outcomes,” Parson said. “We have three returning golfers from last year and, so far, they have proven that experience leads to consistency.”
Through their practice rounds, Eddie Rosenthal and senior Frankie Rosenbalm have led the Eagles in scoring.
“They continue to challenge each other, and during the two-man scramble they paired up to shoot even on the front nine at Fremont Golf Club,” Parson noted.
Rosenthal, Josh Hamre and Jacob Meehan have led by example through their experience, too, while Jordan Meehan and Ethan McGee have made positive strides with their swings. The coach said Stokely Lewis and Lucas O'Daniel have shown “glimpses of putting everything together” as well.
Overall, Parson just wants to see his Arlington golfers put their practice to the test.
“We consistently want to be better today than we were yesterday,” he said. “We will see where that takes us as the season progresses.”
