Sue Sitter/PCT Cole Vietz-Reile takes a swing at a recent boys’ golf tournament in Rugby.

The Panther golf team this year can best be described as a work in progress.

“We have a really young team this year, and right now on the boys’ side, we have 21 kids who are between seventh grade and freshmen, so a really young group of kids trying to learn the game,” said Coach Mike Santjer last week at a tournament at the Rugby Golf Club. “So, with some experience, we can get a lot better, and fight for the top three teams so we can make the state tournament as a team.”

“So, yeah, we’re doing a lot of learning on the course right now.”

Last Thursday morning’s tournament brought 70 golfers from 15 schools, according to Santjer. “We pair them all up (in groups of five from mixed schools). Then, we actually ‘shotgun start’. We get groups out to every hole, because if you start here (at the tee off point), and have every group tee off at the same time, we’d be here for hours,” he smiled.

“So, some groups will start on hole nine; we had two groups start off tee box number one, and we space the kids out all over the course.”

The Panthers weren’t the only team struggling on the learning curve that morning. “I’m not liking golf,” one young team member from another school complained.

Panther Cole Vietz said, “I’m not doing too good today.” When he was wished luck, he answered, “Thanks! I need that today.”

Panther Colin Adam said his day wasn’t such a struggle. “I’m doing all right,” he remarked.

The Panthers traveled to Minot Wednesday for the Our Redeemer’s Christian School Invite at Minot’s Vardon Country Club ahead of region qualifiers in Harvey scheduled for May 16th and 20th.