Messenger photo by Eric Pratt: Returning players for the Fort Dodge boys golf team are (left to right): Trice Jakeman, Logan Huffman, Zain Rowe, Gavin Davis, Jaxson Dencklau, Evan Pratt, Hunter Kasperbauer, Trenton Beck and Cael Pavik.

Fort Dodge’s Nick Vinson knows his program must take the necessary steps first in order to ultimately become competitive again on the Class 4A boys golf scene.

The second-year head coach also understands the importance of finding enjoyable moments in the difficult climb back to respectability.

Vinson has a young and unproven squad in 2023, with only three letterwinners back and very limited varsity meet experience. He sees the big picture and the overall potential of a roster dominated by underclassmen, but patience is a must as the Dodgers settle in for the long haul.

“I think we need to continue to find that pocket of working hard while having fun doing so,” Vinson said. “Golf can be a very difficult — oftentimes frustrating — physical and mental sport. You face a lot of adversity, and your scores aren’t always going to be where you want them to be. You figure something out, only to find a new hurdle you need to clear.

“There are no shortcuts in this sport. Making noticeable improvements may not happen overnight, but that doesn’t mean it won’t come. It just takes focus, perseverance and consistency. I think this team will embrace that grind and will realize how far they’ve come when they look back six or seven weeks from now.”

Senior Evan Pratt and sophomore Grant Hepp are the only FDSH mainstays back from a year ago. Junior Trenton Beck and sophomore Jaxson Dencklau are the other golfers with varsity holes returning.

“To the credit of Evan and the other upperclassmen, they’ve been all about developing good habits, taking practice seriously and setting the tone,” Vinson said. “That’s what we need. We have to be efficient in our time, and really get down the importance of repetition with our short game. I don’t care what level of player you are: it all starts with limiting strokes around the greens.”

Freshmen Mason Frevert, Davis Underberg and Trace Rial will join Pratt, Dencklau and sophomore Gavin Davis in the lineup on Wednesday when Fort Dodge opens with an 18-hole triangular against traditional Iowa Alliance Conference powers Marshalltown and Ames at the American Legion Memorial Course in Marshalltown.

“I don’t really want to put (targeted) numbers on anything at this point,” Vinson said. “We’ll see where we’re at after our first meet and go from there. The key is everyday improvement. After Evan, we have five kids on the course (Wednesday) who are getting their first real taste of 18-hole varsity golf against a couple of really good opponents.

“I’m not worried as much about where we stand now, but where we stand in late-September and if we’ve bridged the gap between us and Ames and Marshalltown. My job is to blend the excitement and enthusiasm of hitting a big drive or making a long putt with the ‘boring’ stuff that leads to better scoring. The decision-making aspect of this game, during an 18-hole meet where you’re walking six-plus miles over the course of five hours, is a challenge. One I hope we embrace.

“We’ll get there. These kids have shown they want to put the extra work in and get better. That’s a positive first step.”

The Dodgers’ annual Joselyn Invitational is Aug. 28 at the Fort Dodge Country Club. FDSH will also host a 4A district meet on Oct. 2 at the FDCC.

2023 FORT DODGE BOYS GOLF

Roster

Seniors — Evan Pratt, Karch Smith, Grant Behrens.

Juinors — Trice Jakeman, Riley Johnson, Cael Pavik, Logan Huffman, Trenton Beck.

Sophomores — Jaxson Dencklau, Grant Hepp, Gavin Davis, Karter Hemrick, Hunter Kasperbauer, Alec Johanson, Zain Rowe, Aidan Russell, Sam Salvatore, Sam Davidson.

Freshmen — Madden Bailey, Mason Frevert, Keaton Hawkins, Trace Rial, Aden Tjalsma, Davis Underberg.

Schedule

Aug. 16 — at Marshalltown; 21 — at Garth Riverhawk Invitational in Mason City; 24 — vs. Des Moines Lincoln and Des Moines North; 28 — Joselyn Invitational at the FDCC; 31 — vs. Mason City and Des Moines East.

Sept. 6 — Ankeny Invitational at Otter Creek; 7 — at Waterloo East; 11 — Ames Invitational; 14 — Joe August Marshalltown Invitational; 18 — Indianola Invitational; 20 — Southeast Polk Invitational at Copper Creek; 26 — Iowa Alliance Conference Meet at Blank in Des Moines.

Oct. 2 — district meet at the FDCC.