Golf team improves at Rawlins tournament

Saratoga Golf's Head Coach Jared Mason is already seeing improvements in his players in just the second competition of the season.

The Saratoga Panthers played at Rawlins Rochelle Golf Course Friday and Saturday going up against the top players in the state in 3A and 4A schools.

Guy Erickson, who broke 90 for the first time the week before, golfed his best two games yet with an 86 and an 89 on the 18-hole golf course.

Even though Erickson didn't make the top 10, Mason said he held his own in the level of competition he played against.

Mason is hoping to see continual improvement from Erickson and the team.

Cristian Soles broke 100 for the first time with a 103 on Thursday and 99 on Friday, an improvement of 20 strokes from last week.

Hazer Hinkle also had improvements with scores of 111 and 110, shaving 17 strokes off of his score.

Joe LaBorde, played a 115 and 114, giving him third place on the team. It was his first tournament. Mason said it was an encouraging sign to see LaBorde do so well his first time out with the Saratoga team.

Wyatt Carricato scored a 246, it was his first tournament of the season.

Mason said he will work with the team on consistency and practicing their short game.

Considering the team played against 3A/4A teams, Mason was encouraged by the Saratoga Panthers play.

This is Mason's first year coaching golf. Mason said he was surprised to see there was an opening for a coach on the golf team. "I always have been passionate about golf. I thought it was something I could coach for a long time as I finish out my education career."

Mason said he thought golf would be a fun and laid back sport instead of the "ultra-competitive" sport like wrestling, which he has coached for years.

Mason only needed to take one golf coaching class through the University of Wyoming to get a certificate to coach golf and he did that over the summer. "I learned the foundation of rules and drills to apply during practice."

Mason teaches at Saratoga High School, so he already knew most of the students participating in golf.

He wants to build the golf program and get girls involved to have a girls' team.

With the team finishing third in the state last year, Mason does not think it is unreasonable to see the team repeat that. He would also like to see Erickson finish in the top 10 and receive all-state honors.

Friday, the Saratoga Golf Team travels to Wright to compete. Mason particularly wanted the duffers to play this course as this is where the state tournament is held and it will familiarize them with the course.

"It will be a smaller tournament," Mason said. The golfers will compete against 1A/2A schools and have a chance to see how they match up in their own conference.