Columbia Falls golf is set to have a competitive team this year according to coach T.J. Ray.

The team lost three seniors but has gained around six new players, bringing the total of Wildcat golfers to 14 this season.

“We lost two of our strongest players last year, but I think we have some strong new talent, so we should have a decent team,” Ray said.

Some players have also been taking private lessons with Ray, who is the PGA Head Professional at Meadow Lake Golf Course, for the last couple years.

The girls team is up to three players this year, which has incrementally but steadily grown since Ray first began coaching three years ago.

The boys team qualified for state last year, an accomplishment which both Ray and team captain and senior Cody Brothwell would love to see repeated.

Brothwell is probably the top golfer for the Wildcats and while he definitely sees himself going to state as an individual, his hope is for the entire team to make it.

Ray plans to focus the team mainly on chipping and putting this year. He’s also big on conditioning, starting every practice with a short run and some push-ups to build endurance for hiking around the course with heavy golf bags.

“It’s also good for the mental aspect of the sport,” said Ray. “Golf doesn’t seem like it’s tiring, but it is for sure.”

Ray doesn’t foresee too many difficulties resulting from COVID-19 precautions in a sport that is outdoors and easily lends itself to social distancing requirements. The biggest worry is making sure to sanitize after touching things like flags and sand rakes, he said.

The JV opened play in West Glacier Tuesday after presstime. The varsity season is set to begin Aug. 24 in Whitefish. Tee times start at 9 a.m.