Worland golfers log first scores of the season in Powell

Starting their season in Powell on Aug. 14, the Worland High School golf team put up their first scores as they got the 2024 campaign underway.

"I thought our kids played really well," said WHS golf coach Ben Hofmann. "Powell can be a tough course, especially on that back nine. If you're not on the fairway, it's really narrow with a lot of trees. Our kids got off the tee box well. We struggled with chipping and putting, and that will be an area of improvement for us. Overall, I'm very pleased with the results."

Jermaine Broussard was the Warriors top golfer in Powell. The junior shot a 79 and finished 12th. Bolen Barthelmess was Worland's second golfer, shooting an 81 and finishing 17th. Lucas Hammer was 30th, scoring 85; Cannon Tideman was 50th, shooting 97; and Parker Bennett shot a 99 to finish 54th.

"Jermaine shot 79 and played well. Bolen shot an 81, which if not a personal best it's close to it. I was impressed with him. Lucas shot an 85. Drew Schneider played his first tournament and shot a 101, that's good for the future. Parker Bennett shot a 99, he thought he could play better. A freshman, Cannon Tidemann shot a 97 which is good," said Hofmann.

Amillia Crawford was the lone golfer for the Lady Warriors. The junior shot a 139 and showed plenty of promise in her first tournament.

"Amillia learned a lot and enjoyed herself. She did some good things that she can build off of. For Amillia, Kinlee [Hofmann] and Anaya [Saavedra], it's really about getting familiarity. They play other sports and are athletic but haven't played a lot of golf. Getting them to work their way around the golf course and limit the big numbers; I'm really excited for Amillia, she's a junior, and hopefully, we get her for another year. There's a big upside for all of our girls," said Hofmann.

The Warriors finished eighth out of 10 teams in Powell, but removing the three 4A teams and 2A Thermopolis, Worland was bunched with a few other 3A teams.

Lander and Wheatland are the clear top two teams in 3A this season. Third through fifth are anyone's guess, and the Warriors can be in that mix. They just need to be playing their best golf once the 3A State tournament in Rawlins on Sept. 20-21 comes up.

"Lander is the team to beat. Cody will be competitive. Wheatland is right there and better than expected. It could be a dog fight at state between Lander and Wheatland. We're right in the mix for third to fifth. Getting a team trophy would be a good spot for these guys. Our guys can play well.

"The Rawlins golf course will play with people's minds when we get to state. It's long from green to tee, and a lot of walking is involved. There's a lot of wind to deal with, wind can be the great equalizer. It can help us or hurt us. Our guys are in a good frame of mind and are focused on playing good, consistent golf," said Hofmann.

Building off the Powell tournament, the driving and the short game were the main points of emphasis in practice this week for the Worland golfers.

"We spent a lot of time working on the range with the girls. Donnie [Bjorhus, Green Hills Golf Course golf pro] worked with them, too, and he does a great job teaching the game. I learn a lot from listening to him and he does a great job teaching to kids. The girls worked on their swing and making good contact. I saw a huge improvement.

"Our guys spent a lot of time chipping and putting, the short game. That was an area that we didn't do particularly well on in Powell. So hopefully, that will be an area of improvement this week," said Hofmann.

Today and tomorrow, Worland is in Lander for the Tiger Invitational.