Park Hill South boys golf returns three starters

Coach Larry Torgerson has been able to generate some fairly successful results over recent years with his boys’ golf teams and this year appears like it will be no different. Coming off 10-3 season which included a second place finish at conference and third place finish at districts last year, the Panthers return three starters: state qualifier senior Cameron Probst and sophomores Matt Barry and Austin Dorrell. While the rest of the lineup is still being developed, their three experienced players provide quite an impressive place to start.

One benefit Torgerson sees to his team’s past success is the amount of kids that tryout the following season. It’s generated some higher than average interest and that’s a problem Torgerson is glad to have.

“We are fortunate this season to have 32 boys trying out for our golf team,” Torgerson said. “That is one of the great things about being a golf coach, knowing that 32 boys want to play on our team and be part of our tradition at Park Hill South.”

Once the team is narrowed down to about 18 players, there will be one central and simple theme for them to live by as the season goes on: become better players each day.

“This goal alone will allow us as a team to achieve Conference Championships, District Championships, Sectional Championships, and State Championships,” Torgerson said.

With the short span of time a high school golf session encompasses, six weeks from start to finish, this basic goal is easier said than done, but if accomplished yields results. A highly psychological game, the broad idea of improvement is best left as straight forward as their coach says it. When asked about the new conference opponents his team will face with realignment, Torgerson doesn’t mention a specific threat, but refers back to their overall purpose.

“We are in a new conference this year with new teams,” Torgerson said. “If we meet our goal, everything will be ok.”

In additional to hosting several home matches at the notorious National II Golf Course, the Panthers will be able to gauge their progress early at the Lee’s Summit North Invitational and Sedalia Tournament.