Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn boys golf coach Mark Japenga will be able to call upon some experienced golfers this season. The top returners from 2023 are juniors Jack Mastbergen, Aiden Bush, and Blake Meendering. Two other juniors are Slayton McCarter and Dominic Tripp. “We have five players that played a significant amount last season,” said Japenga.
The team also includes sophomore Jackson Brower and a freshmen contingent of Hector Diaz, Kolby Douma, Taylor Dykstra, Eli Mastbergen, Brody Meendering, Mykle Myers, Riley Wiersma and Talan Zearing. “There are probably one or two (varsity) spots up for grabs,” noted the coach.
Japenga shared several points of emphasis for this season. “We want to do a great job of manage each and every course and not let one shot effect the next several shots,” he said.
The coach was asked which teams he felt would be leading contenders for the War Eagle Conference crown. “Akron would be at the top of the list and HLP,” he responded. “I think we will compete at a much higher level this year and be much more competitive.”
Japenga has set some goals for his players. “We would like to improve from last year and move on from sectionals and place higher in the conference tournament,” he said.