Matt Dillon doesn’t pull any punches when discussing the potential and expectations of his St. Edmond boys golf team in 2023.

“I want to see us contend for sectional and district championships,” said Dillon, who is in his third year at the helm. “We have the capability, but we obviously have work to do. I like what I’ve seen so far in practice and qualifying rounds, though.

“A lot of our guys are ready to take a significant step forward.”

Senior captain Caleb Schaeffer returns for a fourth season of varsity golf. Schaeffer competed at the state meet when St. Edmond qualified and placed fourth two years ago.

“Caleb is playing really well right now,” Dillon said. “He has a high ceiling as a player. At this point, he just needs to make sure he’s as consistent as possible with his driver and short game. He doesn’t miss many greens in regulation.

“His chipping has improved, and he’s always putted well.”

Schaeffer averaged 41.8 strokes per nine holes in 2022. Dillon expects him to consistently be in the mid- to high-30s this time around.

Classmate Carter Rial is another varsity regular. Rial was a state alternate two seasons ago, and the squad’s second-best scorer last spring.

Junior Hayden Derrig and senior Yoon-Sang Kim follow Rial on the card.

“Carter went through some highs and lows (in 2022), but he’ll be much more consistent both off the tee and with his scoring,” Dillon said. “Hayden and Yoon are both looking a lot better, too. We’re ready for all of them to improve their averages quite a bit.”

Senior Ronnie Orres and freshman Jack McElroy round out the lineup, with sophomore Landon Saathoff and sophomore Kade Schlegel at the top of the junior varsity group to open the season.

“Top to bottom, we’ve been scoring well early given all the cold and wind,” Dillon said. “I think if you can be around 160 or lower (per nine holes), it will put you in the hunt (for Class 1A).

“If we can have Caleb at his potential and get strong depth from the combination of Carter, Hayden, Yoon, Ronnie and Jack, that number isn’t an unreasonable goal at all.”

The Gaels will again be tested by the larger schools in the North Central Conference.

“It’s good for us to face the 2A and 3A programs during the regular season,” Dillon said. “When you have an experienced team like this, this pushes them to be better and want more. To know what’s out there and set a higher bar.

“We talk about eliminating the big numbers and holes that may throw your round off. You don’t want it to snowball when you have an inevitable bad shot, chip or putt. Clear it from your memory and move on. Try to not get into those double- or triple-bogey traps.”

St. Edmond’s home opener is April 17 against Greene County. The Gaels are at South Central Calhoun on Friday.

The CYO Tournament is at Lakeside on April 26. The NCC meet is May 8 at Spring Valley in Livermore.

2023 ST. EDMOND BOYS GOLF

Roster

Seniors — Caleb Schaeffer, Carter Rial, Yoon-Sang Kim, Ronnie Orres.

Junior — Hayden Derrig.

Sophomores — Landon Saathoff, Kade Schlegel.

Freshman — Jack McElroy.

Schedule

April 14 — at South Central Calhoun; 17 — Greene County; 18 — at Algona; 21 — Hampton-Dumont/CAL; 24 — vs. South Hamilton and Saydel; 26 — CYO meet at Lakeside; 28 — Bishop Garrigan and Clarion-Goldfield/Dows; 29 — at OABCIG.

May 2 — at Webster City; 6 — at Coon Rapids-Bayard; 8 — North Central Conference meet at Spring Valley.