Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge girls golf returning letterwinners are (left to right): Brielle Crouch, Alani Crouse, Braxtyn Dencklau and Felicity Strain.

The Fort Dodge girls golf team is playing the long game in 2024.

The Dodgers know they have plenty of work to do both at practice and in meets to reach their competitive goals this season. Head coach Angela Dencklau is still preaching patience and incremental progress, given there are no seniors on the roster.

“We’re working on being more consistent on the course and in our approach,” said Dencklau, who is in her second year at the helm. “We’ve focused on a lot of different things (in the preseason) indoors and on mats, but it’s much different when you have to navigate the physical and mental demands of a (live varsity meet).

“With that being said, we’re also emphasizing the importance of having fun. Golf is all about building relationships with your teammates and with others. So we can’t get so caught up in (the technicalities) that we aren’t able to keep the bigger picture in mind. Finding that balance is so important, because golf can be an emotionally challenging sport.”

Top player Braxtyn Dencklau is back for her third spring at the varsity level. Dencklau, a junior, had a nine-hole average of 48.2 in 2023, with a low round of 43.

Junior Felicity Strain, sophomore Brielle Crouch and sophomore Alani Crouse also return to the lineup.

“All of them, whether they’re shooting in the 40s or the 60s, have to put in more time either on the range, the putting and chipping greens or the course beyond what is required,” Dencklau said. “When you’re rebuilding the way we are, any extra practice makes a difference.

“I think the other thing every golfer faces is not letting a bad shot turn into a bad hole, or a bad hole turn into a bad round. Regardless of your talent level, you’re going to do some things on the course you’d like to have back. But you have to keep moving forward, persevere and fight through the adversity.”

Junior Gabby Santana-Bass and freshmen Emma Lloyd and Aleah Lovain round out the roster.

“Felicity, Alani and Brielle are all making progress,” Dencklau said. “So are Gabby, Emma and Aleah, relative to (their experience level). It’s just a matter of building up that level of consistency.”

Dencklau and FDSH boys head coach Nick Vinson are planning to visit the middle school on April 19 to meet with prospective golfers. The junior golf programs offered at the Dodgers’ home course, the Fort Dodge Country Club, will be a point of emphasis.

“We have to grow the game from the younger ages on up,” Dencklau said. “We’re going to continue to try and get kids excited about golf, and make sure they see it’s a lifelong sport that can also be played even with other (athletics and activities) on your plate.

“The more exposure you get through junior programs and tournaments, the better. We have to introduce kids to these opportunities well before high school.”

Fort Dodge opens its season with home meets this Tuesday (against Marshalltown) and next Tuesday (versus Humboldt). The Dodgers’ annual home invitational is May 10 at the FDCC.

2024 FORT DODGE GIRLS GOLF

Roster

Juniors

Braxtyn Dencklau, Felicity Strain, Gabby Santana-Bass.

Sophomores

Brielle Crouch, Alani Crouse.

Freshman

Emma Lloyd, Aleah Lovain.

Schedule

April 2 — Marshalltown; 9 — Humboldt; 16 — at Ames; 23 — Waterloo East; 30 — at Mason City.

May 7 — IAC North Invitational; 10 — Fort Dodge Invitational.