LC golfers gearing up for winning season
This year’s unusually harsh winter has wreaked havoc on most area high school golf teams’ preparations for the spring season, but one Lewis and Clark Tiger has found a way around the storms.
“I’ve got a mat I can put on in my room and that was my preparation this winter,” said senior Grady Boswell. “I couldn’t really get to many courses this winter, but I kept my putting stroke in line. I feel that’s the strongest part of my game, my putting, so I tried to work on that a lot this winter.”
Boswell and his teammates will have to dodge more than the weather this spring, as Lewis and Clark is expected to be one of the favorites to take the Greater Spokane League boys golf title from Ferris. LC returns three all-league golfers in sophomores Justin Haase and Christian Alfaro, and senior Connor Moran.
“We had a solid team last year, said Moran, who qualified for state after making second team All-GSL as a junior. “We were a little younger, but this year we’re a little more mature. I think we have a good shot at winning the GSL and taking a lot more guys to state and hopefully making a run at the title there. Team-wise, we’ll have one of the most stacked teams in the GSL. Even our No. 5 and 6 guys can shoot in the 70s if we play well.”
Haase, who was a first team all-league selection last season as a freshman, fell short of qualifying for state and hopes to rectify that this season.
“I definitely wanted to improve my putting,” said Haase. “I would have times where I would hit the ball great and not score very well. I wanted to also improve my mental game. I played well during the season, but when it came to districts, I didn’t qualify for state. I just think I thought about it too much. If I just relax and play well and just know I can do well, I can qualify for state this year. I just want to improve overall.”
Alfaro, who was a second team All-GSL pick as a freshman, did make it to state and hopes to build on that experience this season.
“It was just a big confidence booster, going to state as a freshman,” said Alfaro, whose sister Courtney played on the girls’ team last season and sister Pilar is playing this year. “Right now, (I’m working on) my short game, my putting and chipping. … Last year I struggled, but this year it’s come out of nowhere. It’s just come on.”
Another prominent Tiger will be senior Peter Gullickson, who hopes to make a repeat trip to the state tournament.
“I didn’t do very well at the beginning of the year, so I’d like to improve my scoring average,” Gullickson said. “I’d like to make state again. That was a big accomplishment for me. When I got to state, I guess I was caught up in the moment of being there. I didn’t play that well the first day. The expectations are higher and I think I can meet them.”
The Tigers will be well-rounded this season as senior Matt Starr, junior Paul Heiskell and freshman Robbie McKee will give LC good scoring performances.
“We have seven, maybe eight that can challenge for the top six spots,” said Tiger coach Jim Travis. “It’s going to be competitive, and that’s going to be a plus. Competition always brings out the best. Down the road, I’m going to have to have some qualifying play or just play the hottest hand with the best six out there.”
“We’ve got three seniors, a couple of juniors, a bunch of sophomores who play a lot, and they get along well,” Travis continued. “They’ve got a lot of experience. They’ve played golf since they were little. All the tournaments they play in the summer, and all the hours they spend at Manito Country Club and elsewhere, it adds up to a pretty good ingredient. The mixture we have, they’re a year wiser and better. Hopefully, they’re going to pick up their games where they left off last year which was towards the top of the league.”
When all is said and done, the Tigers figure to be at the top of the team title race.
“There’s going to be a lot of good teams out there,” said Travis. “It’s going to come down to the best No. 5 or 6 players out there. If they play well, they’re going to have the best chance to win the team title. … We think we’ve got a good group. It’s been a good year for the Tigers so far, so we’d like to keep that ball rolling this spring and do well in league and send a group to state where we could have a chance to win.”