The Oshkosh West Index - Golfers search for consistency in time for sectionals

Volume 103, Issue 8

Online Features

Golfers search for consistency in time for sectionals

By Sarah Sprangers
posted 11:25:58 AM CST, May 24, 2007

Like a race car waiting for a long straight stretch in which to unwind, the Wildcat golf team is poised to make its move. Hovering at the .500 mark, the squad knows that it is just a straight stretch of consistency away from staking its claim to a successful season.

“Our weakness is inconsistency,” said junior Alex Ackerman. “One night someone will shoot really low and the next night we will not live up to expectations.”

Senior Kurt Lovell concurred with Ackerman’s assessment.

“We are 4-5, mainly because we can’t seem to all have good scores at one time,” he said.

The very nature of the sport makes it difficult for a team, especially one with only three seniors hitting the links, to establish the rhythm needed for the Wildcats to dominate.

“Golf is a very mind boggling game,” said senior Brent Heilsberg. “You could play the round of your life and then shoot a 50 the next day. That is just the way golf goes.”

The team is determined to put its game in high gear and do its best to iron out the wrinkles of inconsistency.

“We need a lot of practice, no one leaving early,” said Lovell. “We need to focus, choose the right shots, and don’t take the stupid ones.”

Ackerman believes their success will be tied to the commitment each member is willing to make.

“Everybody has to play as much golf as possible. They need to participate in as much tournament play as they can.”

The Wildcats’ determination comes from the recognition that this is a talented team that just needs to put it all together.

“Brent [Hielsberg] has been very consistent all year; he has the lowest average on the team,” said Ackerman. “Kyle Cowling, a freshman, also stepped up this year on varsity. He is pretty impressive.”

While the game of golf appears to be an individual endeavor, for the Wildcats, their strength comes from the team.

“We all get along,” said Ackerman. “During a match we always have someone to talk to about our game.”

This camaraderie does not happen by accident. The team is committed to developing the team concept, with the help of a local eating establishment.

“We have Fazolis’ nights all the time,” said Hielsberg. “These build team chemistry.”

The team is now poised for the straight stretch. The state meet is on the horizon and the Wildcats are optimistic that they may be about to hit the accelerator.

“We want to go to state as a team,” said Lovell. “We have a good chance because regionals is at Westhaven, which is in Oshkosh. Sectionals is at Lakeshore, which is our home course, so we should have the advantage.”

All the Wildcats need is a good tune up to be ready to take on the local course. Ackerman knows what that tune-up must include.

“Practice, practice, practice.”

Depending on the results from the regional meet on Tuesday, May 22, the Wildcats will next compete in sectionals on Tuesday, May 29.

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photo by Kailey Lemon

Sophomore Zachary Szekeres winds up to drive during the meet against cross-town rival, Oshkosh North. West was victorious, defeating the Spartans 160-176. Szekeres was a medalist in this meet, shooting the low score of 38.

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