Malta Golf 2022

The Malta girls and boys golf teams will look to build on both teams qualifying for the state tournament last year, starting on Friday, April 8, at Shelby for the varsity teams, and on Monday, April 11 in Shelby for the junior varsity.

"We are coming off a year with lots of success and growth with our appearance at State Golf for both the boy's and girl's teams," said Malta Head Coach Kate Webb. "We are looking to make another appearance and compete at State again this year."

With a good mix of returning players and new freshmen, Webb says she is excited about the season.

"We have 18 kids out this year, 11 boys and seven girls," said Webb. "Enough for a full Varsity team with the girls and a full JV and Varsity team on the boys' side."

On the girls' side, they are led by Lavida Grotte-Dalby, the lone senior on the team, along with junior Kennedy Koss, and sophomore Sydney Gibbs as the returning players to the squad.

For the boys, returning players are seniors Connor Clausen and Ashton Weston, along with junior Kaden Bishop, and sophomore Hunter Stolem.

As far as goals for the teams, Webb said the golfers have been working on their own weekly progress goals, after setting their personal and team goals, for the season.

"My goals for all of our players this year are to be more knowledgeable in the rules of golf, practice and work towards a growth mindset through the season (working on weekly progress goals is a huge part of this), and learn some mindfulness techniques to help us with our focus and to use as a coping skill in stressful situations on the course," said Webb.

Webb said that their focus on swing work and different breakdowns of the game on the course are things they work on every day.

"We wanted to bring in a few new things this year, to focus on what we thought would help our players thrive even more in competition on the course," added Coach Webb.

Another exciting thing to see is that there are nine freshmen out this year. The Webbs, both Head Coach Kate, and her husband and assistant coach Gordon Webb, have been working with many of the younger players in the summer through their Summer Youth Golf Camps and Programs at Marian Hills Golf Course.

"We are starting to see those kids coming up in larger numbers every year," said Kate. "The nine freshmen we have out this year is the largest number I have seen since coaching in Malta. Many of them have been with us through the camps and programs for a while now, and it's fun to see their progress and growth as well as sticking with the game from then until now. I'm excited to see the new players this year compete."

Although their first golf meet of the year, the Shelby Early Season Invitational on Friday, March 25, was canceled, they still have nine Varsity and seven JV meets on the schedule, followed by hosting the boys and girls Divisional Meet this year at Marion Hills Golf Course, on Tuesday, May 10, with a practice round on Monday, May 9.

"It's been 11 years or so since Malta has held a Divisional Tournament, so this will be new for all of us, but we are excited to have it on our home course," said Kate Webb. "Not having to travel across the country to get to our tournament site, while allowing our players more time to rest and experience less exhaustion without traveling during an already busy time of the year is another thing we are excited about."

Webb added that Malta has an advantage with having such a great course in such great shape, giving thanks to Corey Shellhammer and everything he does.

"Putting on a Divisional Tournament takes a lot of planning and community/team effort, and we are looking forward to being able to work with all of our amazing members and course to put on a great tournament," said Webb. "Live scoring was newly used last year, as well as spectators being allowed on the course, which was new, but so great to have! We look forward to these things as well for this year's Divisional Tournament."