JHS Golf: Swinging into the 18th hole

Camri Anderson, Staff Writer

The Jacksonville High Schools’ golf team swung its last club this month, as the season came to an end this weekend. The golf team has made tremendous growth within the last two years by hiring Adam Cisne, as the new golf coach. This year the team consisted of eight boys including freshmen Myles Alexander, Trey Bourn, Brady Kaufmann, and Tysyn Mast; sophomore Aydin Folker; and seniors Blake Hadden, Trevor Huston, and Jerad Smith.

Last year the golf team had a huge growth year. Trevor Huston and Aydin Folker both made it past regionals to sectionals, but Folker missed the cut off shooting a 78 instead of a 77.

This year with the addition of the freshmen golfers, the team won three big invitationals hosted by Canton, Taylorville, and Routt. The team also placed 2nd at the Central State 8 conference tournament. The whole team won Regionals and advanced as a team to sectionals. Aydin Folker shot a 77 to make the cut to the State tournament by 1 point. Brady Kaufmann shot a 78. This created a five way tie with only two spots available for the State competition. Brady and four other competitors faced-off in a playoff to determine which players would advance to State. Kaufmann was the last person cut, in order to make it to the State finals.

At State, Folker had teed off on the 11th hole but due to the freezing cold temperature and snowfall, they postponed the event until the next day. The officials could not count any of the first day scores so everyone had to start from scratch the next day. Folker was 36th out of the 110 State qualifiers scoring an 80 for the State finals.

Aydin Folker, the state representative for the team, is so excited for the next year to start and cannot wait to play next year. “I was very excited to make it to state since I didn’t make it last year and it was a cool experience which I worked extremely hard to get.”

Brady Kaufmann, a freshman golfer and sectional representative, has really high goals for next season. “This year I was the last person cut for State and I want to make it to State next year. This year was such a cool experience at Sectionals and I want to improve myself for State next year.”

The team is very hopeful for next season and they want to repeat what they did this year and hopefully surpass it and move on to sectionals.

Myles Alexander, a freshman golfer this year, enjoyed the atmosphere of being part of a team while learning by watching others play the game instead of being taught, “I am part of a team and feel proud to be.”

Another freshman, Trey Bourn, said that golfing runs in the family, and he will continue to play because of the friends he has made this year. “It gives me something to do and I’ve played the game ever since I was little.” Trey was also very proud that his team won the regional championship. “It has been one of the first times it has ever happened, and it was such a cool experience to be part of.”

Trevor Huston, a senior and a golf member for four years said, “Golf this year is a blend of the best of both worlds. It is very laid back but also very competitive because we have had very much success compared to previous years.”

The team ended their season with three invitational wins, a record of 17-6, and a regional championship. They all should be very proud of how they played this season.