Boys’ golf swings into the start of their season

Harley Classe, Editor-in-Chief|September 16, 2022

With an almost completely new team this season, the boys’ golf team returns to the courses. The team is optimistic about the upcoming season, with goals of heading to Regionals and State.

Swinging into the start of their season, boys’ golf begins with an almost entirely new team. With only three total returning players, the team is working to introduce the other seven to the program.

“We are excited about the new group we have this year,” head coach Shannon Glidwell said. “We are a smaller team than in years past, so the coaches will have more time for one-on-one instruction and more detailed work.”

Hopes of adjusting the group to new routines have caused practices to look a little bit different than they did in the past.

“We look forward to seeing how our practices impact this year’s team,” Glidwell said. “For the moment, we have been introducing some new short game techniques for the kids to learn and master. Our morning group (Sub Varsity) has been focusing on more basic fundamentals while our afternoon group (Varsity) has been spending a great deal of time with some short game adjustments and polishing up those items.”

The addition of seven new teammates is providing the three returning players the opportunity to step into new leadership roles.

“We lost several key players last year, so this year is a new opportunity for some of the returning players from last year,” Glidwell said. “We hope that some of them will take over the mantle of leadership left behind by the group which graduated last year.”

Even though senior Brandon Hicks is new to the team, stepping up has been a natural shift.

“Although it’s my first year and I am not the best, I show my dedication and maturity which rubs off onto the others and makes them better,” Hicks said.

In previous years, the team was competing in District 9-5A, the same district as all other FISD schools. This left only a few spots for teams to advance to UIL Region and State competitions.

This year, Frisco ISD schools are split between District 9-5A and District 10-5A. Glidwell feels that this shift may give the team a better chance at advancing.

“We always set a program goal at the start of the season to advance as many players and teams as possible to the Region and State tournaments,” he said. “With our new district, we think we have a really good opportunity to see several players advance to the Regional tournament. With our split this year we are hopeful to see many Redhawks make the trip to Regionals and State.”

Although a fresh team means a rebuilding year that comes with work and dedication, boys’ golf is working to incorporate team building where they can.

“Even though I recently joined, the team has a solid community and has accepted me,” Hicks said. “They want to help me become a better player. We have had many weather delays and sometimes we play cornhole and allow us to grow as a team.”