Ronan Golf focused on building depth, competing hard

Ronan’s golf program is entering the new season with optimism as a strong turnout and a mix of experienced returners make them an interesting program in the Class A landscape.

“Expectations are high,” Head Coach George Sherwood said. “We want to be as competitive as possible at every tournament we go to. Both individually but also as a team.”

Sherwood, who is in his first season guiding the program, said he’s been encouraged by the level of interest.

“We have 17 student athletes out,” he said. “I’m new to golf, but I’m told this is a great number. Of those 17, four are girls, so we are looking to add more and build onto this program.”

The group brings plenty of energy but also faces the reality of limited tournament experience.

“Strengths will be returning Oliver Rowe,” Sherwood said. “He is a good leader at the golf course and gives a good example to some talented but inexperienced newcomers.”

“One challenge is our lack of experience,” he acknowledges. “We have athletes who have golfed, but only a few in tournament settings, so adjusting to that atmosphere, I think, will just be a matter of time and rounds.”

On the boys’ side, the coach said Rowe provides both leadership and talent, and is able to compete with the top golfers in Class A.

“We have a bunch of new faces in Kolby Finley, who is competing right away, even though it’s a new sport. Siouxpixm Qualtier is solid and putting together some quality holes. Liam Castor (8th grader) is coming along pleasantly and has so much potential. And Joey Fulwiler would be our other experienced golfer on the boys’ side.”

For the girls, Sherwood sees promise in a standout ninth grader.

“LaRae Mays has finished in the top half of every tournament and is only a freshman,” he said. “Doc Rowe, our swing coach specialist, is frothing at the mouth at the fundamentals she has come into our program with.”

While Sherwood is still familiarizing himself with the rest of the conference, he has already identified several strong programs that will challenge Ronan. “I’m new, so it’ll take me a while to fully understand,” he said. “So far, the schools that look to be talented and deep are Corvallis, Whitefish and Frenchtown.”

Even with youth and inexperience, Sherwood said the willingness of his players to take on a difficult sport stands out.

“We have a bunch of newcomers out that are willing to step outside of their comfort zone and try a new and challenging sport,” he said.