Warrior golfers open season in Powell

This week, the 2024 golf season gets underway in Powell for the Worland High School golfers.

The Warriors top returners are seniors Jermaine Broussard and Lucas Hamer and sophomore Bolen Barthelmess. All three competed at the 3A State meet last year.

The No. 4 and 5 spots are up for grabs for Worland, with several golfers in the mix, including Jace Erickson, who also made the state tournament team last season.

"Jermaine will be our No. 1, at least initially," said WHS golf coach Ben Hofmann. "Lucas Hamer is a senior who will be solid for us. He's put in a lot of work at the golf course. He's done a lot of chipping and putting, which will really help. Bolen Barthelmess will be the No. 3, and those three right there are pretty solid. They'll be tough and right in the mix for some regional honors when it's all said and done."

Hofmann continued, "After that, Jace Erickson, a senior, should be solid. Nate Johnson is in the mix. Drew Schnieder has not played before, competitively, but he plays a lot during the summer. I'm excited about seeing which of those will fill out our No. 4 and 5 varsity spots."

The Lady Warriors have three golfers out this season: Amillia Crawford, Kinlee Hofmann and Anaya Saavedra are all first-timers to the program.

"We're going to have a couple of girls this year. Amillia Crawford, Kinlee Hofmann and Anaya Saavedra are playing golf this year. Anaya hasn't played as much but can make up that work to get caught up. We're anticipating Amillia and Kinlee being tough, they've played some golf. We're glad to have all of them and looking to field a girls team this year," said Hofmann.

Much of golf comes down to executing the short game. Getting to the green faster and putting efficiently keeps scores low. If the Worland golfers can have that command over their short game and build on it throughout the season, they'll be in contention each tournament.

"Our top guys have played a lot over the summer. I was out at the course five days a week, and there wasn't a day that Jermaine, Lucas and Bolen weren't out there. That alone will help. They know what they need to do and where they can improve their game. Jermaine, Lucas and Bolen have all had really good summers. I'm looking forward to fine-tuning things like getting within five feet so we can just tap in birdies and pars," said Hofmann.

After having their first practice on Monday, Worland's first tournament was Wednesday and today in Powell.

Along with getting those first scores of the season up, Hofmann wants to see who will round out the Warriors team in the fourth and fifth varsity spots.

"We really need to find a No. 4 and 5. We're set No. 1 through 3, the order doesn't matter with those three. They'll probably be pretty interchangeable, but we'll get some good scores from those three all the time.

"We've got several guys in the mix for those last varsity spots. We just need to see who can round out our top five and be our tournament-ready team," said Hofmann.