Hornets swing for the green in openers

Colby golfers make strides in first week

The Colby Hornets golf team finally enjoyed the thrill of competition last week, opening up their 2021 season at the Osseo Golf Course last Thursday.

The Hornets followed this up by travelling to Princeton Valley Golf Course in Eau Claire on Monday, where they got to see their fellow Cloverbelt golfers for the first time in over a year.

Stats from the Osseo Golf Course match were unavailable at the time of publication, but in their second match of the season, Hornets head coach Brandon Butkus said every varsity Colby golfer made tremendous improvements to their games in a span of a few days.

“All the athletes improved substantially since their first match,” Butkus said, praising his golfers. “Their demeanor changed and I even saw some smiles.”

The Hornets went head to head with their counterparts in the Cloverbelt Conference on Monday, but could not get the win, or place anyone inside the top ten.

Instead, the Hornets’ host, the McDonnell/ Eau Claire Regis Saints proved too much to overcome as they won their home meet by 18 strokes, topping second place Neillsville 163 strokes to the Warriors 181 strokes.

Colby finished ninth out of the 11 scoring between their five varsity golfers. As a result of their finish, the Hornets returned to Colby having earned three conference points towards their goal of claiming the 2021 Cloverbelt crown.

The field was tough, and full of strong golfers, but one thing the Hornets did not have to worry about was the weather, with the season starting in late April rather than late March on account of the WIAA pushing back the season.

The skies were slightly overcast, and temps hovered around the upper 50s, but otherwise Butkus said “The course was in great shape, and the weather was perfect for a golf match.”

Maggie Sobek led the way for the Hornets, carding a 56 to finish in 36th place. Next came Carson Rau and Jade Underwood, who were right behind Sobek in 38th and 39th place. Rau and Underwood finished with identical scores, with each carding 57 strokes.

Justin Hill shot a 74 to finish 50th for Colby’s fourth, and Tony Derrico rounded things at out as fifth man by carding a 76 to finish in 53rd place.

The Hornets will be back in action this Thursday, weather permitting. Colby will a host a Cloverbelt clash at Black River Golf Club in Medford.

Butkus and the Hornets are excited to make even more improvements in their third match of the season.

“It is great see the progression just from one match and I am excited to see what the next few matches brings!”