The Mound Westonka High School boys golf team has kicked off its season with two conference meets and an invitational. The golfers enjoyed temperatures in the 60s at each meet, but this spring’s heavy winds proved challenging. 

Golf’s popularity has made its way to Westonka, with the largest number of boys out for the team in 15 years. There are 33 boys participating in grades 7-12. This includes three golfers from last year’s varsity section team, many returning golfers, and a few new ones as well.

The varsity squad is coached by Andy Atkinson, along with Joshua Kline coaching the junior varsity, and Gary Marquardt leading the middle schoolers.

Coach Atkinson shared, “I look forward to working with our younger players to help them feel comfortable managing their way around the course and improving their skill sets. Our returning players will also take on the role of on-the-course 'assistant coaches,' helping our new players feel comfortable playing golf in a competitive setting.”

The team’s first conference meet was on April 15 at Dahlgreen Golf Club in Chaska. Sophomore Luke Sunnarborg led the team, shooting an 84. Fellow sophomores Dillon Peterson and Wes Foley each shot 93.

Next up was the Bulldog Invite at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker on April 18. Freshman Hudson Pundsack had a nice round of 85, with Peterson, Sunnarborg and Foley rounding out the White Hawks' top four.

On April 22, the boys traveled to Hutchinson for another conference meet, this time at Crow River Golf Club. Dillon Peterson had the round of the day for the White Hawks, carding four birdies en route to a second place score of 35. Sunnarborg shot a 40, while Pundsack turned in a 43, and Foley and senior Mikey Oftedahl each shot 45.

The conference competition will be tough for the White Hawks this year, with Holy Family returning all six golfers from their second place performance at last year’s AA state meet. The Fire easily won both of the Wright County Conference meets with team scores of 297 and 144.

Mound Westonka looks forward to a few days of practice before their next meet at the Burl Invitational on April 29.