Dodgers eagerly anticipate their return to the links
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Even with their first meet of the season slated for Tuesday, Fort Dodge boys golf coach Nick Vinson is preaching a wait-and-see approach to the 2026 campaign.
Vinson doesn't expect anything to be permanently resolved when the Dodgers hit the course for a triangular against Des Moines East and Des Moines North at the Fort Dodge Country Club. In fact, it might be quite some time before the FDSH lineup is completely settled.
"We have a lot of parity top to bottom," said Vinson, who is in his fifth season at the helm. "That's not a bad thing by any means. We have so many kids who, on a given day, could be one of our (varsity) contributors.
"We'll just have to see who steps up and finds that level of consistency (in live duals and tournaments)."
Seniors and four-year varsity regulars Mason Frevert, Davis Underberg and Trace Rial are again expected to be the mainstays at the top of the scorecard. The trio provided the lowest scoring averages for the squad a year ago, with Rial and Underberg both earning all-league honors at the Iowa Alliance Conference meet. Frevert had the best district round for the Dodgers in both 2024 and '25.
"Mason, Davis and Trace are all capable, of course," Vinson said. "Mason has shown the ability to go low and I think he'll keep making progress as the season goes. Same with Davis. They're talented and experienced. And Trace is the kind of player who will give you that round of 80 to 85 or so every time out. He's probably our most steady contributor.
"Mason and Davis had big roles with the baseball team this summer, so they weren't able to get on the course as much. But once things get going with the season, they'll be back in golf mode. They know what it takes."
Junior Camden Sassman, senior Ace Grell and sophomore Jake Pingel will round out the initial varsity scorecard for FDSH on Tuesday. Vinson did indicate, though, that juniors Alex Berger and Malachi Harvey, sophomores Holden Doster, Cameron Beck and Leighton McCrady, as well as freshman Kinnick Hemrick are all knocking on the door.
"We have a pretty big group from four to at least 12 that aren't separated by much," Vinson said. "I see potential with each one of them. They're all going to push each other.
"We'll see how it goes (on Tuesday) and go from there. I'm excited to see how it all works out. That's the good thing about golf: your scoring average dictates your position (in the lineup). Everyone will have a chance to earn their role."
There are a total of 37 players on the squad this fall.
Vinson will again be assisted by Angela Dencklau.
The Dodgers tee off at 3:30 p.m. against the Scarlets and Polar Bears. They will then head to Mason City on Thursday.
The Phil Joselyn Memorial Fort Dodge Invitational is Tuesday, Sept. 1, at the FDCC.
2026 FORT DODGE BOYS GOLF
Roster
Seniors - Mason Frevert, Davis Underberg, Trace Rial, Ace Grell, Keaton Hawkins.
Juniors - Camden Sassman, Alex Berger, Malachi Harvey, Caleb Huse, Joseph Petersen, Mason Zuspann, Karter Reed.
Sophomores - Jake Pingel, Holden Doster, Cameron Beck, Leighton McCrady, Piersun Black, Lane Hansen, Traeshaun Feeley, Stylz Grall, Karsyn Hook, Colby Husske, Trae Krowiorz, Owen Lombard, Conner Marvin, Cooper Marvin, Case Richardson, Thomas Smith.
Freshmen - Kinnick Hemrick, Liam Board, Jace Bockoven, Noah Flaherty, Leo Grantham, Miles Krog, Chance Lockman, Mason Russell, Rylan Trushcheff.
Schedule
Aug. 18 - vs. Des Moines East, Des Moines North; Aug. 20 - at Mason City; 25 - vs. Des Moines Lincoln; 28 - at Mason City Invitational.
Sept - Joselyn Invitational at the FDCC; 10 - at Marshalltown; 14 - at Ames Invitational; 17 - at Joe August Invitational in Marshalltown; 21 - at Indianola Invitational; 23 - at Southeast Polk Invitational.
Oct. 1 - at IAC meet in Norwalk.