Boys golf team hits the course
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
Like every other high school spring sporting team, Watford City’s boys golf team has been anxiously waiting for the chance to get their season started. And now with warmer temperatures finally arriving, Scott Wisness, boys’ head coach, says the Wolves are finally going to be starting their season.
“We haven’t had many opportunities to go on the course this spring,” states Wisness. “But we opened our season on April 22 at Des Lacs-Burlington, and on Friday we will be competing in Stanley.”
According to Wisness, the Wolves have a better than decent chance to win the region and advance to the state tournament.
“Last year we surprised everyone by winning the regional tournament,” states Wisness. “With almost all our team returning and Mitchell Liebel coming back, we should have the best chance to win the regional for the second year in a row. Repeating as region champs is a goal we have set, but we also hope to gain experience this year to become more competitive at State.”
The Wolves will be returning five golfers from last year’s team and Liebel, who has three years of varsity experience, but missed the season last year due to an injury, will be back as well.
“The team will miss Alex Hansen who was our lone senior last year,” states Wisness. “But he is helping as assistant coach.”
Returning varsity golfers for Wisness are Colter Maki, Charles Villanueva, Jonathan Dunn, Cody Johnson and Devyn Marquardt.
“Maki brings in four years of varsity experience and will be one of the top golfers in the region,” states Wisness. “He should be our most consistent golfer this year and will be looked at to bring in low scores at every tournament.”
Villanueva, Dunn and Johnson are three juniors who golfed varsity last season.
“All three of those golfers came through at the right time at regionals last year and will be counted on again to bring in low scores,” states Wisness. “They all can drive the ball well, but their work on their short game will determine if they can make the step up to become a top golfer in the region.”
Marquardt, a sophomore, is the fifth returning from last year’s regional championship team.
“Devyn has a great attitude and is very focused and determined,” states Wisness. “He has great potential to bring in low scores. He came through at the right time last year to help our team win the region.”
Looking to make the varsity team is Korbin Knutson and Jake Rogness.
“Korbin has put in a lot of time on the course and he has great potential to take one of the varsity spots,” says Wisness. “And Rogness had time on varsity last year and will challenge again this year.”
According to Wisness, the boys golf program is going strong with 11 other high school golfers and 10 junior high golfers out this year.
Beside considering this team one of the favorites for repeating as regional champions, Wisness also sees Stanley, Lewis & Clark (Berthold), and Kenmare as being able to field strong teams.