Golfers open in Worland

The Thermopolis High School Golf Team attended their first spring tournament in Worland last Friday. There were 14 schools in attendance from as far away as Gillette and Kemmerer, with 130 golfers.

Thermopolis boys finished fifth out of 14 teams and it was a great way to start their spring season.

“When I compare this team to where they were at the beginning of last fall, to now, I feel that we have a great deal of potential,” said coach Joey Johnson. “Our team scored a 375 and that is 65 strokes lower than where we were at the beginning of the fall season, and 13 strokes lower than when we won the 2A State Championship in 2018.”

Freshman, Hardy Johnson led the Bobcats with a score of two under par 70 to win the individual portion of the tournament. He carded an Eagle, three birdies, and 3 bogeys.

“Hardy’s (Johnson) work ethic and understanding of course management is second to none,” his coach said.

Junior, Jeffry Clark scored a 91 for the tournament and is showing real promise for the upcoming season.

“Jeffry (Clark) is working hard at improving his game and I believe that by the fall season Jeffry will be shooting high 70’s to low 80’s on a very consistent basis,” Johnson said.

Freshman Lee Grimm shot a 103 at the Worland Invite and scored 15 points lower than his fall average in 2018. Freshman, Will Clark shot 110 and is making constant improvements on his driving and his short game.

“I’m confident that he will also make huge strides in his game in the coming weeks,” Johnson added.

Sophomore Kyle Roessing rounded out the scores for the Bobcat boys with a 118. Roessing’s score is still lower than where he started in the fall and he is working hard at improving his short game.

Madeline Stam was the lone Bobcat Varsity girl playing in the Worland invite. Stam shot a 103 and is off to a great start for the spring season.

“Maddie’s (Stam) confidence in her shots keep improving and more importantly she knows how to correct her mistakes and she is really starting to put up consistent scores,” Johnson said. “I believe that by next fall she will consistently be shooting in the 90’s.”

Hadley Johnson was the lone middle school Bobcat Golfer. It was Johnson’s first experience at a high school/middle school event and he shot a 97 which earned him fifth place out of 17 middle school players.

“I look forward to seeing Hadley’s (Johnson) progression this spring and summer and to see what he will add to the high school team this fall,” coach Johnson said. “He is working hard on improving his chipping and endurance.”

The Bobcat golfers are in Riverton today (Thursday). They will be hosting their home tournament, the Bobcat Invite on Thursday, April 18 where both high school and middle school duffers will take the course.