Despite graduating a pair of state qualifiers last season, Webb City has high hopes for 2022 with several golfers back with varsity experience as well as a talented group of newcomers to lead the way.
“We are very excited, as there is a lot of competition for the five varsity spots with some quality golfers,” Webb City coach Jackson Boyer said. “We will improve tremendously as the season goes on. I anticipate lower scores as players get experience as the season progresses and we get through some early tournaments.”
Dylan Burlingame and Carson Frazier are gone, but the Cardinals return senior Keegon Dill, who was also a state qualifier a year ago. Also back with varsity experience is senior Josh Howard and junior Braxten Cahoon.
Newcomers expected to make an impact at the varsity level are senior Daniel Roy, junior Caden Ray and sophomores Levi Lassiter and Cooper Forth.
When asked what he felt the strengths of the team would be this season, depth, of course, was his first answer. With so many kids capable of contributing at the varsity level, that depth will be the catalyst for the Cardinals.
“We have a very balanced and deep team with several options for varsity,” Boyer said. “The daily competition we have had at early practices will help the team as the season starts. We have several athletic and long hitters off the tee that will benefit them on approach shots.”
And while depth will be a plus, there will be some inevitable inexperience on varsity this season with at least two spots up for grabs due to the losses of Burlingame and Frazier. However, talent can shorten the learning curve to make up for a lack of experience, and Webb City has plenty of talent to sift through.
“We will have two or three guys on varsity that are still fairly new to golf,” Boyer said. “So, we will need to experience some matches and early tournaments to see where we stand against other teams in the area. We have been putting a focus on being able to lock in and focus for 18 holes and build more confidence each day.”
Webb City opens the season at Carthage on Tuesday.
