MONROE - Ask Kyle Bruce about his personality on the golf course, and he doesn't hesitate.
"Very aggressive," he said.
Ask Bruce about his motivation for his fourth and final season as a varsity player for the Monroe High School golf team, and that aggressive nature is quickly obvious.
"I'm really looking forward to making it to state and I'm trying to set some really high goals," he said. "I'm looking to move up that leaderboard (at state)."
Bruce joins sophomore Eric Timm as the only returnees from a Cheesemakers team that finished 3-3 in the Badger South Conference in 2011. Both players were major factors in helping Monroe win two more league matches than in 2010.
With Bruce leading the way and some talented newcomers joining the fold, coach Brian Jensen sees no reason why the Cheesemakers can't keep the program's arrow pointing up.
"I'm definitely feeling we want to get to a four-win (Badger) season," said Jensen, director of operations and head golf professional at Monroe Country Club.
Jensen said having a two-time state tournament qualifier at the top of the lineup is the perfect scenario for a coach with just two returning varsity players. He's eager to see the positive influence he believes Bruce will provide.
"Kyle, to me, has always been the younger kid," Jensen said. "He's been out here playing at Monroe Country Club as a kid, and now to see him as a senior and being one of our leaders - it's definitely exciting to see him take that role.
"For him to take the leadership role and to help encourage the other kids is definitely something to look forward to this year."
Bruce enjoyed a nice junior season, averaging a score of plus-4 for nine-hole rounds and firing a season-best one-over 73 to win the Badger South jamboree at Beloit Country Club.
He qualified for the Division 2 state championships for the second straight season by firing an 81 at Evansville Golf Club. A large share of his motivation for this season stems from what happened in the state tournament at University Ridge.
"I kind of fell apart at state," said Bruce, who carded rounds of 81 and 84 for a plus-13 166 to tie for 26th place. "I felt the pressure that everyone talks about.
"I definitely want to go back again and prove myself, get that redemption."
To do that, Bruce is focusing particularly hard on one facet of his game.
"I've got to get my short game a little bit better," Bruce said. "Tighten some screws up to take that next step."
Jensen said Bruce's ability to "keep himself from getting in trouble" and "hold his composure" are big assets.
Timm was the Cheesemakers' No. 5 golfer last season, when he averaged 10-over for nine holes. Jensen said the sophomore has worked hard to take a shot at becoming Monroe's No. 2 golfer.
"He keeps himself pretty busy practicing and playing in the off-season," Jensen said. "He's just loking to improve on his overall consistency. For him last year, he had a few high holes per round that definitely kept his scoring average higher than it should be.
"He's pretty excited about getting the season started."
Senior Jason Atkinson, junior Caleb Pagel and freshman Matt Miller will complete the Cheesemakers' lineup for Tuesday's season-opening dual against Stoughton at Monroe Country Club.
Atkinson and Pagel were junior varsity players in 2011. Miller should be a solid contributor immediately, Jensen said.
Like Jensen, Bruce likes the Cheesemakers' prospects this season.
"I'm really excited," he said. "I'm looking forward to getting started."
"Very aggressive," he said.
Ask Bruce about his motivation for his fourth and final season as a varsity player for the Monroe High School golf team, and that aggressive nature is quickly obvious.
"I'm really looking forward to making it to state and I'm trying to set some really high goals," he said. "I'm looking to move up that leaderboard (at state)."
Bruce joins sophomore Eric Timm as the only returnees from a Cheesemakers team that finished 3-3 in the Badger South Conference in 2011. Both players were major factors in helping Monroe win two more league matches than in 2010.
With Bruce leading the way and some talented newcomers joining the fold, coach Brian Jensen sees no reason why the Cheesemakers can't keep the program's arrow pointing up.
"I'm definitely feeling we want to get to a four-win (Badger) season," said Jensen, director of operations and head golf professional at Monroe Country Club.
Jensen said having a two-time state tournament qualifier at the top of the lineup is the perfect scenario for a coach with just two returning varsity players. He's eager to see the positive influence he believes Bruce will provide.
"Kyle, to me, has always been the younger kid," Jensen said. "He's been out here playing at Monroe Country Club as a kid, and now to see him as a senior and being one of our leaders - it's definitely exciting to see him take that role.
"For him to take the leadership role and to help encourage the other kids is definitely something to look forward to this year."
Bruce enjoyed a nice junior season, averaging a score of plus-4 for nine-hole rounds and firing a season-best one-over 73 to win the Badger South jamboree at Beloit Country Club.
He qualified for the Division 2 state championships for the second straight season by firing an 81 at Evansville Golf Club. A large share of his motivation for this season stems from what happened in the state tournament at University Ridge.
"I kind of fell apart at state," said Bruce, who carded rounds of 81 and 84 for a plus-13 166 to tie for 26th place. "I felt the pressure that everyone talks about.
"I definitely want to go back again and prove myself, get that redemption."
To do that, Bruce is focusing particularly hard on one facet of his game.
"I've got to get my short game a little bit better," Bruce said. "Tighten some screws up to take that next step."
Jensen said Bruce's ability to "keep himself from getting in trouble" and "hold his composure" are big assets.
Timm was the Cheesemakers' No. 5 golfer last season, when he averaged 10-over for nine holes. Jensen said the sophomore has worked hard to take a shot at becoming Monroe's No. 2 golfer.
"He keeps himself pretty busy practicing and playing in the off-season," Jensen said. "He's just loking to improve on his overall consistency. For him last year, he had a few high holes per round that definitely kept his scoring average higher than it should be.
"He's pretty excited about getting the season started."
Senior Jason Atkinson, junior Caleb Pagel and freshman Matt Miller will complete the Cheesemakers' lineup for Tuesday's season-opening dual against Stoughton at Monroe Country Club.
Atkinson and Pagel were junior varsity players in 2011. Miller should be a solid contributor immediately, Jensen said.
Like Jensen, Bruce likes the Cheesemakers' prospects this season.
"I'm really excited," he said. "I'm looking forward to getting started."
