EPHRATA — Ephrata golf coach Greg Hewitt said he expects both the 12 girls and 14 boys on the Tigers golf team to perform well this year as he works to move the team into competition this spring, despite it being a “reload year” for the team.

“This is a reloading year and we’re not considering that for the boys,” he said, “We’re considering it as we are reloading and the expectations are still there.” 

Boys’ golf

On the boys team, Hewitt said he’s glad to have players returning, two having made it to state-level competition last year. When he spoke after the Tigers’ golf match Monday, he said students took third in that competition, with lessons learned that will help him shore up the skillsets for the young men on the course. 

“I have three guys that are coming back with experience. Two of those guys made it actually to state, one as an alternate,” Hewitt said. 

Seniors Zander Boyd and Evan Boyd have returned to the course for the Tigers and they’ve been joined by Tristen MacNeil. Hewitt said all three have shown not only talent and skill but also a tendency to step forward as leaders on the boys team.

Hewitt said he has confidence in the team that he’s hoping they’re starting to see in themselves as they move into league play.

“I told the boys … today, ‘You know. You’ve got to start believing. You are good enough to dominate,’” he said. 

Girls golf

For the girls golfers, Hewitt said everyone from last year is back with some additional new talent to make the Tigers formidable on the course. That includes having junior Jayme Dwight returning to the fairway. She made it to state both years that she’s played and he expects her to do well again in the 2024 season. He’s generally really happy with the growth of the girls golf team in Ephrata as a few years ago, the team only had one player and that’s been doubling year over year consistently the last three years. That leads to a competitive edge.

“The Tiger girls are going to be tough this year, and they were good last year,” Hewitt said. “I’m expecting even better this year.” 

Standout young women on the Ephrata team this year include Dwight, as well as Logan Pickeral, Rayn Castillo, Stella Bayley and Ceci Roth, Hewitt said. However, he said the girls are looking strong in general on the course and he expects a solid year overall.

“I would expect the girls to have at least five (at state this year),” he said.

Having some added new talent will help as young women have joined the golf team as freshmen or as transfers to the Ephrata High School, he said. 

“The girls program has everybody back plus some new ones that are going to be very, very good,” he said. 

Culture building

While a solid group of golfers is on the Tigers team this year, Hewitt said he’s making it a point to instill a culture in the team that has the students building one another up. The senior class and more experienced golfers know the expectation is for them to not only better themselves but also to help those with less experience get better. 

“We’ve been very fortunate with that for 20 years with the boys. It’s already expected from them. Now we want it to be just as expected as a whole team (as the girls program has grown so much),” Hewitt said.

Hewitt is also working to set up friendly competition by using challenges of various sorts. By having the team compete against each other, everyone is driven to get better daily. It’s a friendly competition that builds each other up, and with a built-in rotation to cycle young athletes into top positions on the team in turn, he hopes it will ensure everyone gets recognized for their strong effort.

To be successful, he said, the team is going to have to show dedication to making sure basic skills are there and advancing skills. His top players have a drive to play that will help with that and hopefully inspire the less experienced players by example. Having those juniors and seniors with a passion for golf will help develop the team in the way he wants. 

“They have this drive to always want to play golf,” the coach said. 

He said the potential of this year’s Tigers golf team is looking good. 

“We have high expectations. I have a bunch of great kids and a great school I wouldn’t trade for anything,” Hewitt said.

R. Hans “Rob” Miller may be reached at [email protected]. This story is one of several in our March 13 edition dedicated to local golf teams. Those stories are also available in our sports tab on columbiabasinherald.com. 

    Tristan MacNeil follows through on a swing during practice at Lakeview Golf & Country Club Tuesday afternoon. His coach said MacNeil shows a great deal of promise on the course.
  

    Rogan Homer lines up a shot during Ephrata Tigers golf practice Tuesday afternoon.
  

    Caleb Moberg maintains his focus on the ball as he swings at the driving range.
  

    Jayme Dwight has made it to state both years she has played golf for Ephrata High School. Coach Greg Hewitt said she has a strong golf game and is likely to do well again this year.