Saco Golf 2018

infoThe Saco Panthers Golf Team lost a pair of state competitors but gains two new golf members in a season that may delayed for a few extra weeks due to the large amount of snow that northeastern Montana has experienced this winter.

"Unfortunately, the weather is not on our side this year, resulting in a lot of indoor practice," Coach Elena Sudbrack said. "Hopefully, spring weather gets here soon, it would be a blessing to get some course practice before an initial meet."

Though the team has not practiced outside yet, they have been able to practice aspects of the game like driving rubber balls in the gym and putting.

"When track isn't in the gym we have been in the gym driving and we have been in the hallways putting," Devon Salveson said. "We have a ramp on the other side of the school that we can use. We have been watching a few videos on chipping and we will try that (later)."

The team returns two golfers from last season, senior Jada Sudbrack and Salveson, a junior. The team lost two golfers to graduation; Jamison Schaaf and Christian Menge who both graduated last year. Schaaf, Menge, and Sudbrack each participated in the 2017 State C Golf Meet.

"The two returnees Jada and Devon continue to develop their skills and consistency in all aspects of their game," Coach Sudbrack said. "They are working toward a qualifying score to compete at the State Golf meet this spring."

The team welcomes junior Alysa Jensen and freshman Brent Yeska, who have yet to see any action on a golf course. They will both start the year as junior varsity golfers.

"Brent and Alysa are both learning all aspects of the game," Coach Sudbrack said. "They are finding golf is a game of technique and patience. Each day brings improvement."

Being new to the sport last season, Salveson can relate to the team's newest addition.

"I didn't do to good (last season)," Salveson said. "It was my first time golfing, so it was a lot of getting used to the game, learning the rules and learning how to swing a club."

Sudbrack is the team's lone returning state performer last season, scoring 260 at the meet.

"Last year went pretty good," J. Sudbrack said. "I started with a score of 138 at my first meet and I shaved strokes off each meet and I finally got it down to 115 at the Wolf Point meet, which qualified me for state."

The state qualifying score for girls in the C class is any score under 120.

"This year my goal is to make it to state again and get my score under 117," J. Sudbrack said.

Salveson also hopes to improve his score this season, but he knows it will take some work.

"I think this year will be about learning my form and improving my swing more than learning how to swing," Salveson said.

Salveson hopes to hit the ground running in 2018, after improving his stroke count by over 60 last season. He hopes to get below 100, the score a Class C boy needs to qualify for state.

"My first golf meet (last year) I scored a 198," Salveson said. "I didn't know the rules of the game. I got my score down to a 135 before the end of the season. This year, I'm looking to shave more strokes every meet and qualify for state."

Salveson sees himself when he practices with Yeska, the team's youngest golfer.

"I think it's kind of weird because last year I was the first year golfer and Chris has taught me a lot of things and now Brent is the first year golfer," Salveson said.

Jensen shared what it was like being a first-time golfer.

"It's weird getting used to everything and learning the proper grip on the golf club and learning how to swing it and everything, so for me, it's kind of about memorizing the rules and everything," Jensen said.

She shared what she thinks her first hole will be like.

"To be honest, I don't think I'll get anywhere near it," Jensen said with a smile.

Yeska shared what he thought his first hole will be like.

"It will be a pretty good experience, I guess," Yeska said. "Especially because I have never played golf."

Jensen shared what it is like golfing with Subrack, who has been golfing for years.

"It's a little intimidating, to be honest," Jensen said. "I feel like it's a lot to be living up to. I'm going to be a senior next year and even though I haven't been doing it as long, that doesn't mean I can't have as good of an attitude as she does."

J. Sudbrack and Jensen are similar in a sense because J. Sudbrack didn't golf until she was in her sophomore year, having competed in track her freshman year.

"My sophomore year I just went out just to try it and I grew to really like it," J. Sudbrack said.

Coach Sudbrack and daughter J. Sudbrack have been preaching that practice is key to the new golfers.

"They told me the first year is a learning year and then you get better and better, so just keep practicing," Yeska said.

Saco High School

2018 Golf Schedule

DAY DATE EVENT SITE

Friday 13-Apr Centerville/Belt Invitational - Signal Point GC

Saturday 14-Apr Whitewater/Saco Invitational Marian Hills GC

Monday 16-Apr Richey/Lambert Invitational Sidney GC

Friday 20-Apr Wolf Point Invitational Airport GC

Saturday 21-Apr Malta Invitational Marian Hills GC

Friday 27-Apr Fort Benton C Invitational Signal Point GC

Saturday 28-Apr Plentywood Invitational Plentywood GC

Monday 30-Apr Glasgow C Invitational Sunnyside GC

Friday 4-May Harlem Invitational Harlem GC

Saturday 5-May Chinook Invitational Chinook GC

Monday 7-May Scobey Invitational Scobey GC

Sun-Wed. May 13-16 Boys/Girls State Fairmont Hotspring GC