Central Oregonian

Golfers hoping to step up

Only one player from last year’s varsity returns

Lon Austin

March 14, 2013

For the last few years, it seemed like the Crook County High School boys golf team was starting from scratch at the beginning of each season.

This year is no exception as the Cowboys return just one golfer off of last year’s state-placing squad.

“It will be interesting to see who steps up,” said co-head coach Zach Lampert. “Most of the team will be back next year. If we can get the right guys to step up, I think we can be competitive in our district.”

Defending state champion, La Grande, should once again be the team to beat in the district. Ridgeview steps into the district for the first time this year and could also be a factor.

Junior Kody Kuk is the only Cowboy with significant varsity experience. However, Lampert is quick to point out that several other golfers have played a lot of rounds in the off season.

Lampert expects Joe Morgan, Harrison Gish, and Cabe Goehring to all play well. Josh Christian, who hit a hole-in-one during the team’s first practice round, may also be a factor.

“Morgan has been kind of on the cusp of posting some low scores,” Lampert said. “Hopefully this year he will break through and Gish and Goehring played well last week.”

Lampert added that right now it is wide open who will even make the varsity team. He expects the team to juggle their lineup several times during the season.

“I’m sure that we will struggle sometimes,” he said. “We will just have to learn to bounce back. Hopefully by the end of the year we will be ready to go at district.”