PHS golf begins 2020 campaign

Posted 8/13/20

With a few exceptions, youth is something that stands out about the Powell High School boys’ and girls’ golf teams this fall. Only a handful of this year’s golfers are returners, …

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PHS golf begins 2020 campaign

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With a few exceptions, youth is something that stands out about the Powell High School boys’ and girls’ golf teams this fall. Only a handful of this year’s golfers are returners, which could create hurdles early on.

But head coach Troy Hildebrand isn’t too worried about that. Instead, he’s excited to see how his teams develop throughout the season.

“We’re pretty thin at the top, but we have a big group of several incoming freshmen with some decent golf experience,” Hildebrand said. “They’re players that can really develop into a nice group in the next few years.”

On the boys’ side, senior George Higgins was the standout a year ago, averaging a score of 81.7 per round. Other key returners include senior Yogi Sullivan and junior Brandon Wentz, among others.

“We want those guys to improve upon where they were a year ago,” Hildebrand said. “That will strengthen us a little bit.”

The boys’ team also brings in several newcomers who have never played competitive golf. Because of COVID-19 regulations, tournaments will feature fewer teams this year, which means more freshmen may have the chance to compete.

“For the younger group, getting their feet wet a little bit,” Hildebrand said. “My number-one goal for these freshmen is to have a lot of these young men on the course in tournament settings and establish where they are.”

Powell’s girls’ team has just two golfers on the 2020 squad: Jasmin Simonson and Maddi Hackenberg. Simonson was on the team last year, while Hackenberg is a newcomer who has experience playing with her family.

Across the Class 3A level, sustaining a girls’ golf program is hard. Not many girls play on each team, making it hard for them to be competitive.

But locally, Hildebrand hopes the efforts at Powell Golf Club will increase young girls’ participation in the sport going forward.

“It’s harder to build that continuity, but I think the junior program with the pros out here has started to build some of that. I see more younger kids out here,” Hildebrand said. “They’re getting really good numbers, and I hope we’re able to benefit in the next few years.”

The boys’ and girls’ teams kick off their season today (Thursday) at Olive Glenn Golf & Country Club in Cody, with the competition continuing on Friday. PHS will face the Broncs and several other squads just three days after starting fall practice.

While the experience on his teams varies, Hildebrand knows several of his golfers have worked hard during the offseason, and he expects that to pay off.

“If you use the summer, you’re usually ready to go,” Hildebrand said. “We just qualify and then try to hit the ground running. It is different than most sports, but golf is that way by design, I guess.”

Powell High School, Panther Golf

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