MONROE - Nick Baumann has unfinished business when it comes time to walk back on the golf course to tee off again.
Baumann, a Monroe junior, finished ninth at the WIAA Division 2 sectional last year and shot a 79, which was one stroke away from going to state.
"I think it was a big motivation," Monroe coach Braden Rindy said of Baumann being on shot away from state. "He knows he can make it. He just has to be consistent. He practiced a lot on his game in the summer. He's always on the golf course. I think he will be in a position to make a run at state."
Baumann, who was first-team Badger South All-Conference last year, is one of three of the Monroe High School boys golf team's top five golfers returning this year after the Cheesemakers qualified for the sectional for the second straight year last season. The other returners are senior Tanner Thompson and junior Devon Boeck. Sophomore Collyn Wilde played a couple of varsity matches last season, but Rindy said he will be counted on to play varsity full-time this season.
"We are looking at making a run at conference and returning to sectionals," Rindy said.
The Cheesemakers went 2-3 in dual matches last year and placed fifth in the Badger South Conference tournament. Madison Edgewood, which was ranked No. 2 in the Wisconsin Golf Coaches Association state poll, won the Badger South title last year.
The Cheesemakers finished fourth at the Evansville sectional last year, 20 shots behind Edgewood for a state berth. The Crusaders, the Division 2 state runner-up the past two years, have made a run to state seven of the past eight years. Monroe is looking to make a trip to state for the first time since 2006 when the Cheesemakers finished third.
"Madison Edgewood is always strong," Rindy said. "I feel like we should be one of the top three teams with Edgewood and Oregon. Edgewood is always the team to beat."
Thompson won the championship at the Edgewood Invitational at Maple Bluff Golf Course last year. Baumann is expected to be the Cheesemakers' No. 1 golfer this season, but Thompson has proven he can be an elite player.
"He has the talent to do it," Rindy said of his ability to shoot low scores. "He just needs to be more consistent with his short game."
At the start of every practice, the Cheesemakers work to fine-tune their chipping and putting.
"It's amazing with gold the short game can help save you some strokes," Rindy said.
The Cheesemakers took advantage of the good weather on Tuesday and practiced chipping before they played nine holes. It's all part of the evaluation to determine the No. 5 golfer to start the season. Monroe junior Kyle Krebs and freshman Jack Rogerson are vying for the No. 5 spot. Krebs played on the varsity as a freshman. Rindy likes the potential of Rogerson.
"He's always out on the golf course at the country club," Rindy said of Rogerson. "He can shoot some low scores."
Rindy has high expectations for the top five golfers if the Cheesemakers are going to contend for a conference title and a trip to state.
"In our nine-hole dual matches I need them all to shoot in the low 40s or high 30s," Rindy said. "We need them to get there if we are going to compete and be consistent."
Baumann, a Monroe junior, finished ninth at the WIAA Division 2 sectional last year and shot a 79, which was one stroke away from going to state.
"I think it was a big motivation," Monroe coach Braden Rindy said of Baumann being on shot away from state. "He knows he can make it. He just has to be consistent. He practiced a lot on his game in the summer. He's always on the golf course. I think he will be in a position to make a run at state."
Baumann, who was first-team Badger South All-Conference last year, is one of three of the Monroe High School boys golf team's top five golfers returning this year after the Cheesemakers qualified for the sectional for the second straight year last season. The other returners are senior Tanner Thompson and junior Devon Boeck. Sophomore Collyn Wilde played a couple of varsity matches last season, but Rindy said he will be counted on to play varsity full-time this season.
"We are looking at making a run at conference and returning to sectionals," Rindy said.
The Cheesemakers went 2-3 in dual matches last year and placed fifth in the Badger South Conference tournament. Madison Edgewood, which was ranked No. 2 in the Wisconsin Golf Coaches Association state poll, won the Badger South title last year.
The Cheesemakers finished fourth at the Evansville sectional last year, 20 shots behind Edgewood for a state berth. The Crusaders, the Division 2 state runner-up the past two years, have made a run to state seven of the past eight years. Monroe is looking to make a trip to state for the first time since 2006 when the Cheesemakers finished third.
"Madison Edgewood is always strong," Rindy said. "I feel like we should be one of the top three teams with Edgewood and Oregon. Edgewood is always the team to beat."
Thompson won the championship at the Edgewood Invitational at Maple Bluff Golf Course last year. Baumann is expected to be the Cheesemakers' No. 1 golfer this season, but Thompson has proven he can be an elite player.
"He has the talent to do it," Rindy said of his ability to shoot low scores. "He just needs to be more consistent with his short game."
At the start of every practice, the Cheesemakers work to fine-tune their chipping and putting.
"It's amazing with gold the short game can help save you some strokes," Rindy said.
The Cheesemakers took advantage of the good weather on Tuesday and practiced chipping before they played nine holes. It's all part of the evaluation to determine the No. 5 golfer to start the season. Monroe junior Kyle Krebs and freshman Jack Rogerson are vying for the No. 5 spot. Krebs played on the varsity as a freshman. Rindy likes the potential of Rogerson.
"He's always out on the golf course at the country club," Rindy said of Rogerson. "He can shoot some low scores."
Rindy has high expectations for the top five golfers if the Cheesemakers are going to contend for a conference title and a trip to state.
"In our nine-hole dual matches I need them all to shoot in the low 40s or high 30s," Rindy said. "We need them to get there if we are going to compete and be consistent."
