Messenger photo by Eric Pratt: Fort Dodge boys golf returning letterwinners in 2025 are (left to right) Gavin Davis, Mason Frevert, Jaxson Dencklau, Davis Underberg and Trace Rial.

Head coach Nick Vinson knows his Fort Dodge boys golf team has both the ability and experience to take another big step forward in 2025.

The sport is still about physical and mental execution, though, so nothing is guaranteed as the Dodgers start a busy stretch of their season on Monday with a home triangular at the Fort Dodge Country Club.

Five players with hundreds of varsity holes under their respective belts will be on the tee again for FDSH. Seniors Jaxson Dencklau and Gavin Davis are joined by juniors Mason Frevert, Davis Underberg and Trace Rial as the veterans of the lot.

In the Dodgers’ season opener, Frevert carded a 78, with Underberg and Rial also breaking 90 in Des Moines. All five are capable of collectively keeping the squad in the 330 range or better for 18-hole meets in the weeks to come.

“But we also can’t go too far in the other direction,” said Vinson, who is in his fourth year at the helm. “That’s been the on-going conversation…in golf, you have to take what your game and the course gives you on a given day. Sometimes that means a lot of pars rather than trying to force (the action) with birdies. Sometimes that means playing for bogey instead of a double or triple (bogey). That kind of mentality adds up as the round goes on.

“The name of the game is consistency. All of these guys are capable. They know what to expect now, as they’re all in at least their third seasons (at the varsity level). But it’s that push and pull of knowing how to grind and what to do with your scoring opportunities.”

Frevert and Underberg both carded 79s at the district meet a year ago, with Davis, Dencklau and Rial all in the upper-80s. That fine line between bogey golf and breaking 80 will be the main challenge for all five players this fall.

“Mason does a really good job of not letting anything carry over too much,” Vinson said. “He has the right attitude for keeping a level head. But all of our guys have to (grasp the concept) of hunting pars instead of birdies. (The latter) will come if your main goal is to make as many (of the former) as possible.”

Because golf is a sport that often produces vastly different results from day to day and even hole by hole, repetition remains the most important factor in maximizing potential.

“Everyone could benefit from being more steady with their ball striking and especially with their short game. That can be the difference in five or even 10 strokes (per round) — how quickly you can get in and out around the greens.”

A number of players — sophomore Camden Sassman, senior Karter Hemrick, freshman Cameron Beck, freshman Holden Doster and sophomore Alex Berger — will be in close contention for the final varsity spot, according to Vinson.

“The big thing for us, regardless of (average score and ability level), is when you have a good round, how did you get there?” Vinson said. “Repeating the steps and figuring out a better gameplan is so important. Golf is heavily reliant on execution, but also, the way you approach things mentally — with your swing, your chips, your putts and your strategy.”

The Dodgers face Mason City and Waterloo East on Monday at the FDCC, beginning at 3:30 p.m. The Fort Dodge Invitational is slated for Sept. 2.

Vinson will again be assisted by Angela Dencklau.

2025 FORT DODGE BOYS GOLF

Roster

Seniors — Jaxson Dencklau, Gavin Davis, Karter Hemrick, Alec Johanson, Hunter Kasperbauer, Sam Davidson.

Juniors — Mason Frevert, Davis Underberg, Trace Rial, Keaton Hawkins, Ace Grell.

Sophomores — Camden Sassman, Alex Berger, Caleb Huse, Drake Hayes, Mason Zuspann, Joseph Petersen, Malachi Harvey.

Freshmen — Holden Doster, Cameron Beck, Nolan Price, Trae Krowiorz, Ryland Smith, Lane Hansen, Jake Pingel, Colby Husske, Daniel Wiseman, Landen Stanley, Piersun Black, Leighton McCrady, Case Richardson, Styllz Grall, Cooper Marvin, Conner Marvin.

Schedule

Aug. 25 — Mason City and Waterloo East; 29 — Garth Invitational in Mason City.

Sept. 2 — Fort Dodge Invitational; 3 — Ankeny Invitational; 9 — at Ames; 15 — at Ames Invitational; 18 — August Invitational in Marshalltown; 22 — Spray Invitational at Indianola; 23 — IAC triangular at Waveland in Des Moines; 24 — Southeast Polk Invitational.

Oct. 2 — IAC Conference meet.