Golf teams set to begin season

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- New additions to the New Ulm golf teams will give the boys and girls teams an infusion of new talent that both coaches are hopeful will carry their teams far.

Girls golf

For the first time in 20 years, a girls golf team other than Fairmont is going to have a chance at winning the South Central Conference; New Ulm would like to give it a seriousshot this year.

"It'd be such a good feeling to do that-- we'll see what it brings," sophomore Kayla Nesvold said. "Everyone is working really hard."

"I really feel like we have a good shot at the conference title, with the two Bergmann girls coming in and solidifying the team," coach Todd McKeeth said. Fairmont also lost four of their top golfers last year. "If we have six that can play well, if two have a bad day, we'll be alright. We're looking to make a little noise this year."

Coach McKeeth also expects the Eagles to compete well in sections, because the girls have the talent.

Junior Alix Bergmann transferred from Murray County Central, a Class A golf team that went to state last year, and will lead a team of four returning varsity players, as well asthe addition of younger sister Samantha Bergmann, who was the youngest girl to golf the state meet last year in seventh grade.

Alix Bergmann shot in the low 40s last year and goes into this year sure she can do well, but a little unsure of the competition.

"This is a new class for me, but it will still be the same thing -- me against the course," she said. "If I practice hard -- if everyone works hard, we'll do what we need to do."

Alix Bergmann is one of the oldest members of the team. With no seniors, the team will be able to continue to grow throughout next year.

"With the asset of the Bergmann girls, I think we'll see better scores -- not just from them, but from the whole team," Nesvold said.

Randi Wise and Meghan Bode, last year's co-captains that have been on the team five and four years, will both be looked to for consistent scoring and leadership, according to McKeeth.

"They have a good attitude and pull the team along with 'em," McKeeth said.

Nesvold will also be one of the top varsity players, and Morgan Hirth will be included on the team, along with some younger players who will be able to get some experience.

Attitude seems to be prevalent for the girls this year and feeding off of each otherís improvement.

"I want to have a better attitude [this season], using my time out here to improve instead of just goofing off," Bode said. "As a team, we'll improve more; if one improves, we'll see that, and all of us will want to improve more."

Wise fully expects her teammates to gel and be a consistent team by the end of the season.

"By the end of the year, we'll come out as a team and put some good scores on the board," she said.

Boys golf

Strong, solid shooters sophomore Jimmy Fromm and Jon Herzog, as well as Ian Sletta, will get a boost from new additions to the team: senior Dave Ganske and Scott Paa.

"Jimmy Fromm, Jon Herzog and Ian Sletta are the only ones with extended varsity experience -- those are the kids we need to build around," coach Randy Ogren said.

Ganske has played golf since he was young but does not have varsity experience. However, Ogren said that he has posted some nice scores so far in practice.

"It's his first year out, so he has not been tested," Ogren said. "He has had nice qualifying scores, but those are very different than meet scores. He's a little untested."

Also competing on varsity will be Ethan Regan, who has some experience on varsity.

"After that, there are a lot of unknowns," Ogren said. "Experience is what it boils down to -- there's a big difference between B-squad and varsity."

One forerunner for the last spot on varsity is Nate Grathwohl, who played varsity some last year, and also leading underclassmen may be Scott Paa. Both are somewhat untested.

"I think me, Jon, Jimmy and Dave will help them get through the season," Sletta said. "Dave is a rookie too, but he's good on the course with his short game, so we'll give 'em some pointers. He [Ganske] is a good acquisition for the team.'

Sletta, who looks to concentrate on improving his short game to shoot in the low 80s, thinks that the team's attitude will help push the Eagles past any difficulties this season with many unknowns.

"The team's got good chemistry,' he said. "You have to have fun. You can't let this game get to you, otherwise, it will go downhill quickly."

The Eagle golf teams begin the season when they host Prior Lake at 3 p.m. Monday at the New Ulm Country Club.