MONROE - For Monroe golf coach Braden Rindy, the Cheesemakers have unfinished business as they begin to tee off on the season.
The Cheesemakers return two players, senior Eric Timm and junior Matt Miller, who were sectional qualifiers last year. The Cheesemakers as a team were two shots away from qualifying for the sectional last season. Big Foot edged the Cheesemakers 352-354 for the fourth and final sectional berth as a team.
"I think they saw how close we were last year," Rindy said. "They know every little shot could make a difference. We were so close last year. We all feel like we are stronger and better than last year. That (qualifying for sectional as a team) is a reasonable goal for us."
Monroe went 1-5 in the Badger South and finished seventh place in the conference tournament last year. In addition to Timm and Miller, the Cheesemakers also return sophomore Tanner Thompson, who was the team's No. 4 golfer last year. Monroe freshman Nick Baumann, who shot a 2-over-par 72 to win a Junior Golf tournament last summer, could contend to be the Cheesemakers' No. 1 golfer this year.
"He's such a consistent golfer," Rindy said of Baumann. "He has been on the course a lot and played in a lot of events in the summer. He doesn't bomb the ball. He hits it down the middle."
Rindy said the Cheesemakers are looking for a No. 5 golfer to step up.
"We need a No. 5 guy who can push us and make us better golfers as a team," he said.
Monroe junior Austin Murphy and junior Eric Bush are contending for the No. 5 spot. Murphy is in his third year golfing. He spent the past two years on the junior varsity team. Bush is golfing for the first time.
"Austin has some experience," Rindy said. "Eric has never played golf before, but he played a lot in the summer. They are competing for that No. 5 spot."
Rindy considers Madison Edgewood the favorite to win the Badger South Conference. Edgewood and Stoughton shared the conference title last year. With two experienced players in Timm and Miller coming back, Rindy has high expectations this season.
"We are expecting to be in the mix," Rindy said of the conference. "I think we will be able to give everyone a run. I feel like we will be better than last year."
Timm and Miller each have experience of playing various golf courses.
"They have been there before," Rindy said. "They know what to expect. They know what they need to do."
The Cheesemakers have practiced outside at the Monroe Country Club this week. They are going over their swings, chipping and putting. However, the course at the country club isn't allowing putting on the greens yet. They have used mats to get in their putting practice.
The Badger South Conference considered switching from nine- to 18-hole conference matches last year. Even though conference matches will remain nine holes this year, Rindy said there is a 50-50 chance that the conference will switch to 18-hole conference matches.
"We want to play 18 holes because that is what they will do in the tournament," Rindy said. "We want them to get used to what they will do at sectionals and state. I think it will eventually happen."
Monroe will open the season at the Stoughton Invitational Monday, April 14. The Cheesemakers' home-opener will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 15 against Oregon at the Monroe Country Club. The Cheesemakers will have home matches against Oregon, Stoughton, Milton and Brodhead this year.
"It's definitely an advantage," Rindy said. "We always play good at home. I'm looking forward to getting to our course so we can play."
The Cheesemakers return two players, senior Eric Timm and junior Matt Miller, who were sectional qualifiers last year. The Cheesemakers as a team were two shots away from qualifying for the sectional last season. Big Foot edged the Cheesemakers 352-354 for the fourth and final sectional berth as a team.
"I think they saw how close we were last year," Rindy said. "They know every little shot could make a difference. We were so close last year. We all feel like we are stronger and better than last year. That (qualifying for sectional as a team) is a reasonable goal for us."
Monroe went 1-5 in the Badger South and finished seventh place in the conference tournament last year. In addition to Timm and Miller, the Cheesemakers also return sophomore Tanner Thompson, who was the team's No. 4 golfer last year. Monroe freshman Nick Baumann, who shot a 2-over-par 72 to win a Junior Golf tournament last summer, could contend to be the Cheesemakers' No. 1 golfer this year.
"He's such a consistent golfer," Rindy said of Baumann. "He has been on the course a lot and played in a lot of events in the summer. He doesn't bomb the ball. He hits it down the middle."
Rindy said the Cheesemakers are looking for a No. 5 golfer to step up.
"We need a No. 5 guy who can push us and make us better golfers as a team," he said.
Monroe junior Austin Murphy and junior Eric Bush are contending for the No. 5 spot. Murphy is in his third year golfing. He spent the past two years on the junior varsity team. Bush is golfing for the first time.
"Austin has some experience," Rindy said. "Eric has never played golf before, but he played a lot in the summer. They are competing for that No. 5 spot."
Rindy considers Madison Edgewood the favorite to win the Badger South Conference. Edgewood and Stoughton shared the conference title last year. With two experienced players in Timm and Miller coming back, Rindy has high expectations this season.
"We are expecting to be in the mix," Rindy said of the conference. "I think we will be able to give everyone a run. I feel like we will be better than last year."
Timm and Miller each have experience of playing various golf courses.
"They have been there before," Rindy said. "They know what to expect. They know what they need to do."
The Cheesemakers have practiced outside at the Monroe Country Club this week. They are going over their swings, chipping and putting. However, the course at the country club isn't allowing putting on the greens yet. They have used mats to get in their putting practice.
The Badger South Conference considered switching from nine- to 18-hole conference matches last year. Even though conference matches will remain nine holes this year, Rindy said there is a 50-50 chance that the conference will switch to 18-hole conference matches.
"We want to play 18 holes because that is what they will do in the tournament," Rindy said. "We want them to get used to what they will do at sectionals and state. I think it will eventually happen."
Monroe will open the season at the Stoughton Invitational Monday, April 14. The Cheesemakers' home-opener will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 15 against Oregon at the Monroe Country Club. The Cheesemakers will have home matches against Oregon, Stoughton, Milton and Brodhead this year.
"It's definitely an advantage," Rindy said. "We always play good at home. I'm looking forward to getting to our course so we can play."
