Boys golf squad looking to build depth in lineup
The season begins Aug. 2 at the Springdale Invitational.
The Siloam Springs boys golf team has some holes to fill heading into the 2017 season.
The Panthers open the season Wednesday, Aug. 2, in the Springdale Invitational at Springdale Country Club, and it’ll present the first opportunity of the season for several of the boys to step up into playing positions on varsity.
“I think we’re a group that obviously has some talented players at the top,” said Panthers golf coach Michael Robertson. “We’re looking for a couple more to piece in there. It’s tough to be competitive in our (6A) classification with three to four guys. We need five to six, so we’re looking for a couple of guys there to fill at the varsity level. We’ve seen this before where we’ve been a team with three or four guys and by the end we’ve got a solid group. The fun thing about that is you see a lot of improvement.”
Of the 14 boys on the roster, only three have a wealth of varsity experience from last year, where the Panthers finished fourth in Class 6A.
Leading the returners is junior Karson Clement, who’s been a two-year starter and has been playing really well in the preseason, Robertson said.
“I told Karson many times over the last six to nine months that he’s no longer just one of the guys,” Robertson said. “He’s the guy. He’s the leader.”
Clement finished two strokes away from being an all-state player as a sophomore in 2016.
“He’ll have a chance to be one of the really good players in 6A,” Robertson said. “He’s done a good job of leading for us. If you go back to February, he’s only missed one practice. He’s been a really good leader. He’s been here and been vocal, and he’s
really good with the younger guys. I think he’s going to have a really good season.”
Junior Josh Johnson also has a lot of varsity experience.
“He’s playing better than he has,” Robertson said of Johnson. “He’s gotten stronger. He’s hitting the ball farther and playing more consistent. He’s got a great attitude and works hard every day. I think Josh will be battling it out for one of those top three spots all season.”
Sophomore Luke Baker is another expecting to get varsity time after nearly making the Panthers’ postseason roster last year.
“He’s a sophomore, big and strong,” Robertson
W e’re just going to go out there and keep getting better. Our goal is always to play our best at the end of the year and I think we’ll be able to do that.
said. “We’ve been working on him to understand he doesn’t have to hit the ball so hard. He can hit it a long way.”
Sophomore Evan Sauer appears to have been working well the last few months at the First Tee and is hitting the ball well. He’ll compete for a varsity playing spot.
“He’s a naturally talented athlete,” Robertson said. “He could be a guy that’s playing well for us at the end of the season.”
Junior Trey Jackson and the team’s lone senior Sam Everett are also competing for varsity spots, Robertson said.
The Panthers have a number of freshmen who also could work their way into varsity time.
Max Perkins is a ninthgrader with a lot of potential, as is freshman Camden Collins.
“Those are guys that I think could continue to get better every day and in a month make their way into some varsity action, Robertson said. “We’ve got a lot of guys competing for essentially one to two spots. It’s a good mix of young guys and older guys.”
Freshmen Nick Gray, Ethan Owens, Jacob Smith, Breck Soderquist, Chris Svebek and Owen Thomas are also on the team and will have numerous opportunities to play in junior varsity action.
The Class 6A Boys State Golf Tournament is scheduled for Oct. 2-4 at Jonesboro Country Club, the home of the seven-time defending state champion Jonesboro Hurricane.
The Hurricane will once again be among the top teams in Class 6A, along with Greenwood and Searcy, Robertson said.
“As always, it’s Jonesboro at the top,” Robertson said. “They have one of the best players in the state if not one of the best in the region. …
“We’re just going to go out there and keep getting better. Our goal is always to play our best at the end of the year and I think we’ll be able to do that.”
Michael Robertson SSHS golf coach