ARGYLE - The Argyle-Pecatonica boys golf team has made two straight runs to a WIAA sectional tournament, but it is still looking to develop as one of the state's Division 3 powers.
Argyle-Pecatonica finished fourth at sectionals last year and two years ago it placed third, just missing a trip to state as a team. The Oriole-Vikings return their top two golfers, junior Matthew Severson, who finished 20th at state last year, and senior Mitchell Steiner.
"He (Severson) got to University Ridge last year and it was like the movie the 'Hoosiers,'" Argyle-Pecatonica coach Chris Holcomb said of the course in Madison. "We had to tell him it's the same greens, and it's just a golf course. He did well, but he could have done better. He's ready to go this year. He definitely has a lot of talent. If Matt and Mitchell pull their game around and we can get something from our No. 3 and 4 golfers we have a shot at state."
Steiner has been on the brink of qualifying for state the past two years, just missing the cut by one shot twice.
"I think that will put some fuel on the fire," Holcomb said. "He definitely has the game to get to state. He could be a power if he gets there. He just has to get over his own hurdle. I think he will do that this year."
Holcomb said what makes Severson successful is he is focused.
"He works really hard and practices a lot," he said. "He's able to find and focus on the things he needs to work on."
The other golfers returning for Argyle-Pecatonica are sophomore Mason Holcomb, sophomore Dylan Stietz, senior Tyler Wahl, senior Kylie Holcomb and sophomore David Carter. Both Mason and Kylie Holcomb are the children of Chris Holcomb. Kylie Holcomb is Chris' daughter, and she is on the boys golf team because Argyle-Pecatonica doesn't have a girls golf team.
"I think in the SWAL we will have a strong team," Chris Holcomb said. "With the strength of our one through three golfers we should definitely vie for the title."
Mineral Point, which won the SWAL title and made a run to state last year, is one of the contenders for the league title along with Argyle-Pecatonica and Iowa-Grant.
Holcomb said the power teams in Argyle-Pecatonica's Division 3 sectional last year were Mineral Point and Lancaster. Lancaster has made five straight state tournament appearances, and the Flying Arrows were the state champions two years ago.
Darlington has seven returning golfers and three with varsity experience, sophomore Brogan Evenstad, sophomore Seth Johnson and senior Hunter Wilkinson.
Both Evenstad and Johnson averaged a 48 in nine-hole matches last year.
"They (Evenstad and Johnson) should have some matches with scores in the low 40s," Darlington coach Rich Westerman said. "I'm sure their goal some time this year is to break 40."
The Redbirds finished last place in the SWAL last season. Westerman wants to see his young team make a push up the conference standings this year.
"My expectation is to finish in the middle of the pack," he said.
Westerman said the Redbirds will have six golfers with a legitimate chance to compete for three varsity spots.
"It (the competition) will be good for the team," he said. "There will be a lot of players who have a chance at the varsity."
With several new golfers this year, Westerman has a clear plan the first week of practice.
"We just want to focus on the fundamentals of golf, learn how to hold the golf club, learn the rules," he said.
Argyle-Pecatonica finished fourth at sectionals last year and two years ago it placed third, just missing a trip to state as a team. The Oriole-Vikings return their top two golfers, junior Matthew Severson, who finished 20th at state last year, and senior Mitchell Steiner.
"He (Severson) got to University Ridge last year and it was like the movie the 'Hoosiers,'" Argyle-Pecatonica coach Chris Holcomb said of the course in Madison. "We had to tell him it's the same greens, and it's just a golf course. He did well, but he could have done better. He's ready to go this year. He definitely has a lot of talent. If Matt and Mitchell pull their game around and we can get something from our No. 3 and 4 golfers we have a shot at state."
Steiner has been on the brink of qualifying for state the past two years, just missing the cut by one shot twice.
"I think that will put some fuel on the fire," Holcomb said. "He definitely has the game to get to state. He could be a power if he gets there. He just has to get over his own hurdle. I think he will do that this year."
Holcomb said what makes Severson successful is he is focused.
"He works really hard and practices a lot," he said. "He's able to find and focus on the things he needs to work on."
The other golfers returning for Argyle-Pecatonica are sophomore Mason Holcomb, sophomore Dylan Stietz, senior Tyler Wahl, senior Kylie Holcomb and sophomore David Carter. Both Mason and Kylie Holcomb are the children of Chris Holcomb. Kylie Holcomb is Chris' daughter, and she is on the boys golf team because Argyle-Pecatonica doesn't have a girls golf team.
"I think in the SWAL we will have a strong team," Chris Holcomb said. "With the strength of our one through three golfers we should definitely vie for the title."
Mineral Point, which won the SWAL title and made a run to state last year, is one of the contenders for the league title along with Argyle-Pecatonica and Iowa-Grant.
Holcomb said the power teams in Argyle-Pecatonica's Division 3 sectional last year were Mineral Point and Lancaster. Lancaster has made five straight state tournament appearances, and the Flying Arrows were the state champions two years ago.
Darlington has seven returning golfers and three with varsity experience, sophomore Brogan Evenstad, sophomore Seth Johnson and senior Hunter Wilkinson.
Both Evenstad and Johnson averaged a 48 in nine-hole matches last year.
"They (Evenstad and Johnson) should have some matches with scores in the low 40s," Darlington coach Rich Westerman said. "I'm sure their goal some time this year is to break 40."
The Redbirds finished last place in the SWAL last season. Westerman wants to see his young team make a push up the conference standings this year.
"My expectation is to finish in the middle of the pack," he said.
Westerman said the Redbirds will have six golfers with a legitimate chance to compete for three varsity spots.
"It (the competition) will be good for the team," he said. "There will be a lot of players who have a chance at the varsity."
With several new golfers this year, Westerman has a clear plan the first week of practice.
"We just want to focus on the fundamentals of golf, learn how to hold the golf club, learn the rules," he said.
