Goats golf determined to make State

CHELAN - The PGA Master’s Tournament in Augusta, Georgia might be three weeks away, but golf in Chelan has already begun. 

Despite the occasional flurries we have experienced over the past couple weeks, the Goats golf team has stayed persistent by hitting balls off mats at the Lake Chelan Community Gym.

Because of this though, it has made it hard for head coach Kirk Einspahr to judge how his team will play out on the course.

“It is kind of hard to tell how we look at this point since we haven’t been able to do anything yet on a golf course,” coach Einspahr said. “Last year we only had three guys on our team but we sent one of them to state and another was an alternate. Both of them are back this year so I have high hopes for them to both qualify this year and ultimately qualify for the second day of state so we can receive a team score and chance for a team trophy.” 

As for the girls, “we have six returning players along with two freshman joining us. Unfortunately, only Chelan and Cascade will have a full girls team for competition so that makes is a little more difficult to get fired up for matches when they mostly golf against each other,” coach Einspahr said.

With the lack of competition, coach Einspahr thinks that maintaining focused on the end prize will be the biggest challenge for the Goats this year. 

“I think my returning boys will give good leadership and set a good example for the rest of the team,” coach Einspahr said. “Obviously one of our biggest struggles right not is just the weather and snow covering the golf courses so getting out on the course will be a great motivator I think.” 

Overall, coach Einspahr is looking forward to all of the league matches this season but he is most excited for the two events Chelan will host. 

“We will be hosting our 3rd annual Gamble Sands Invitational on April 19, (boys) and 20 (girls), so I’m really looking forward to that and we already have some great teams signed up.” 

The Golf team will hope for more 60 degree days to allow the snow to melt on the course and give them time to practice before their first Invite at Three Lakes Golf Club in Wenatchee on Saturday, March 25. 

Zach Johnson can be reached at lcmeditor@gmail.com or (509) 682-2213