By: Ryan Duey

Clay Center Community High School Golf Coach Dick Ahlberg, and a junior golfer were guests at the Clay Center Lions Club weekly meeting on April 1st. Ahlberg spoke about starting the season and this year’s young team.

Ahlberg said there are currently 14 boys out for golf, with one returning letterman from last year. He said with being a young team they have a lot to learn.

“We have four juniors, four sophomores, and six freshmen out this year. Seven of our fourteen players are new to us, and they’ve got a lot to learn: a lot to learn about school, sports, and academics.”

“Our team is obviously young, but they’re not quite as inexperienced as people think. Our JV team played in eight tournaments last year, so they might be young, but they have a little more experience than people think.”

Ahlberg said with this young team it will be interesting, but very fun to see how the golfers develop and grow. He said they have a very good schedule this year, giving all golfers a chance. He credited the support he has received as a coach in his 13 years.

“I’ve had tremendous support as a coach and the support comes from our athletic directors.”

“Our schedule needed to be better. So, I’d say, I want to add this tournament, I want to go to Seneca, with the girls we want to go out to Hays.”

“Mr. Weller, Mr. Moran, and Mr. Ferguson are the three athletic directors that I’ve been privileged to work with, and they give us the support we need, and that’s really great for our kids.”

Ahlberg said he had a dream before the season, he believes that if they can get three or four golfers hitting consistently in the 80s the team will be competitive. It should be a fun season for the team, growing and learning together.