The mild winter just past has the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn boys golf team looking to get the season off to a good start. “This has been the earliest we have ever gotten on the course,” noted Hawk coach Mark Japenga. “We hope that translates to low scores for the first meet.”
HMS returns seniors Aiden Bush, Slayton McCarter, Jack Mastbergen and Blake Meendering. The Hawks also have back sophomores Kolby Douma, Grant Kunzman and Eli Mastbergen. Douma and Mastbergen made significant contributions last season as freshmen. New to the team are sophomore Lawton Schiphoff and freshman McCoy Smith.
Japenga thinks the work the golfers put in during the offseason to improve their skillsets will manifest itself during the meets. “I believe that the kids have worked on their games and that will be evident in their play,” remarked the coach. He said the mental aspect of the game has been emphasized during this season’s practices. “We want to be a smart golf team,” Japenga stated. “Take advantage of the situations and not put ourselves in poor positions that cost us a lot of strokes.”
When asked which teams could be top contenders in the War Eagle Conference, Japenga responded, “Akron always is tough. MMCRU played well last year. St. Mary’s always competes.” As for the Hawks? “We would like to be in the top three for conference and move out of sectionals,” said Japenga. “We hope to compete in every meet and give ourselves a chance to get some wins this year.”

HMS Golf Schedule

Girls Coach: Cheryl Kroese
Boys Coach: Mark Japenga
All meet times are 4:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Monday, April 7, Harris-Lake Park (conf), at Silver Lake Country Club (Lake Park)
Thursday, April 10, Akron-Westfield (conf), at Akron Golf Club (Akron)
Monday, April 21, MMCRU (conf), at Sanborn Golf and Country Club
Tuesday, April 22, Hinton (conf), at Sanborn Golf and Country Club
Thursday, April 24, South O’Brien (conf), at Primghar Golf & Country Club
Tuesday, April 29, George-Little Rock (conf), at Otter Valley Country Club (George)
Thursday, May 1, JV/V Meet, West Sioux, at Sanborn Golf and Country Club
Monday, May 5, Gehlen Catholic (conf), at Willow Creek Golf Course (Le Mars)
Friday, May 9, JV/V, Remsen St. Mary’s (conf), at Sanborn Golf and Country Club
Monday, May 12, Boys, War Eagle Conf. Meet, Ridge Golf Club (Sioux Center), 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, May 13, Girls, War Eagle Conf. Meet, Ridge Golf Club (Sioux Center), 10:00 a.m.