Carl Junction boys golf has reason to be excited, as the Bulldogs return four of their five varsity members who have high expectations for 2022.
“Carl Junction boys golf has had this year circled on the calendar for a while,” Carl Junction coach Ryan Jones said to SoMo Sports. “Carl Junction has had a lot of great individual golfers come through, over the course of the last 10 years, but we have struggled to put together multiple classes and build the depth required for postseason success as a team. This year’s team has the depth required to compete on the district level and conference level. We have a lot of high quality golfers on the roster and we are excited to see where we stack up with teams from our area and within our state.”
Carl Junction’s list of returners is highlighted by seniors Noah Williams and Zach Wrensch. Williams was an all-district performer who was also a state qualifier and a Horton Smith Joplin team qualifier. Wrensch was also a Horton Smith Joplin team qualifier. Junior Jacob Teeter, and All-Central Ozark Conference selection last season, is back along with sophomore Tommy Walker—an all-district performer and state qualifier as a freshman.
Joining the varsity squad this year is freshman Jack Spencer.
“We have had great senior leadership this first month from Zach Wrensch and Noah Williams,” Jones said. “Williams was an all district golfer last year and a state qualifier. Wrensch finished with multiple top 10 finishes last season. We have an all-conference performer in Jacob Teeter, and Tommy Walker, who was an all district last season as well. Add to that mix, freshman Jack Spencer, who is one of the better freshmen in the region, winning last summer’s Southwest Missouri Junior Golf Association Golfer of the Year for his age group.”
Of course, when asked what he considers his team’s biggest strength, Jones said depth. And while this may be the easy answer, that doesn’t make it any less true. It’s one thing to have the experience, but coupling that with the talent level the Bulldogs have, it’s easy to see why the arrow is trending up for the program.
“The thing that jumps out at you this year is our depth,” Jones said. “We have five golfers who have the capability to win a golf event. That kind of depth makes practice much more intense because those kids are interested in winning every day in practice. Who doesn’t like to beat your buddies?”
Of course, though the expectations are high, Coach Jones has made it clear to his team that it is going to take continuous work throughout the season to reach their goals. If the Bulldogs can show the type of commitment needed, Jones believes this team is capable of a special season.
“Pressure is a privilege,” Jones said. “We have stressed that in our conversations with this team. We have high expectations for our year and that is acceptable. We have earned those expectations. But expectations aren’t going to pay the bills. You have to perform. The pressure we feel is a privilege. Our success this season is going to depend on how we handle those expectations and whether or not we continue to improve individually as the year progresses.”
Carl Junction opens the season at Carthage on Tuesday.
