ARGYLE - The Pecatonica-Argyle boys golf team experienced its share of growing pains last season, when a young squad was introduced to the rigors of the Southwest Wisconsin Activities League schedule.
Several members of the 2011 squad return this spring, and fourth-year coach Chris Holcomb said the vibe already is quite different.
"They have a little more confidence this year, to say the least," Holcomb said.
Just what does that mean for a team that has three players back from a unit that finished fifth in the SWAL last spring?
"I can't say I expect them to go to state, but I would like for them to be a little more competitive," Holcomb said. "I think they have the ability to place well in the conference meets and a few of them, even if the team doesn't advance to sectionals, could advance to sectionals and even state."
Pecatonica-Argyle has some question marks entering the season, but the No. 1 spot in the lineup isn't one of them. Sophomore Christopher Severson will lead the way after averaging around 40 strokes for nine holes as a freshman.
"He came out and really scored well," Holcomb said of Severson in 2011. "I think he had a little bit of intimidation playing on the different courses and trying to get used to that. But he has a real nice athletic swing - a natural, smooth swing. He's working on his short game now."
Severson, who played in some junior tournaments after his freshman season, appears as strong as ever "with his driving and his irons," Holcomb said. "When he had issues last year, it was usually around the green. He's working hard on that and I think he can be right there with the top players in the conference."
Other returnees include seniors Grant Barnes, Nate Howell and Collin Wilde, junior Jacob Melvin and sophomore Zach Shilling.
Barnes was a quick study a year ago in his first season on the team.
"He just picked up clubs about a month before we started last year and he made varsity by our fourth meet," Holcomb said of Barnes, who averaged in the mid-40s. "He's very smart on the golf course. He picked up course management right away."
Melvin is out for the first time, but is no golf novice. He played in a men's league at Yellowstone Golf Course as a 12-year-old and "has a real nice swing," Holcomb said. "Just in our initial practices, he's shooting in the mid-40s."
Shilling is a second-year player also capable of shooting in the mid-40s, Holcomb said, while Howell and Wilde are in a battle for the No. 5 spot.
Holcomb was still waiting to learn if senior Brandon Watkins would be part of the team. "He's been on the team for three years and has been a pretty good player," the coach said.
Cuba City is the team to beat in the SWAL, according to Holcomb, who added there's no mystery what it will take for Pecatonica-Argyle to put itself in the mix.
"What we're really working on is short game, short game, short game," Holcomb said. "That's where almost all of them struggle."
Several members of the 2011 squad return this spring, and fourth-year coach Chris Holcomb said the vibe already is quite different.
"They have a little more confidence this year, to say the least," Holcomb said.
Just what does that mean for a team that has three players back from a unit that finished fifth in the SWAL last spring?
"I can't say I expect them to go to state, but I would like for them to be a little more competitive," Holcomb said. "I think they have the ability to place well in the conference meets and a few of them, even if the team doesn't advance to sectionals, could advance to sectionals and even state."
Pecatonica-Argyle has some question marks entering the season, but the No. 1 spot in the lineup isn't one of them. Sophomore Christopher Severson will lead the way after averaging around 40 strokes for nine holes as a freshman.
"He came out and really scored well," Holcomb said of Severson in 2011. "I think he had a little bit of intimidation playing on the different courses and trying to get used to that. But he has a real nice athletic swing - a natural, smooth swing. He's working on his short game now."
Severson, who played in some junior tournaments after his freshman season, appears as strong as ever "with his driving and his irons," Holcomb said. "When he had issues last year, it was usually around the green. He's working hard on that and I think he can be right there with the top players in the conference."
Other returnees include seniors Grant Barnes, Nate Howell and Collin Wilde, junior Jacob Melvin and sophomore Zach Shilling.
Barnes was a quick study a year ago in his first season on the team.
"He just picked up clubs about a month before we started last year and he made varsity by our fourth meet," Holcomb said of Barnes, who averaged in the mid-40s. "He's very smart on the golf course. He picked up course management right away."
Melvin is out for the first time, but is no golf novice. He played in a men's league at Yellowstone Golf Course as a 12-year-old and "has a real nice swing," Holcomb said. "Just in our initial practices, he's shooting in the mid-40s."
Shilling is a second-year player also capable of shooting in the mid-40s, Holcomb said, while Howell and Wilde are in a battle for the No. 5 spot.
Holcomb was still waiting to learn if senior Brandon Watkins would be part of the team. "He's been on the team for three years and has been a pretty good player," the coach said.
Cuba City is the team to beat in the SWAL, according to Holcomb, who added there's no mystery what it will take for Pecatonica-Argyle to put itself in the mix.
"What we're really working on is short game, short game, short game," Holcomb said. "That's where almost all of them struggle."
