The Fair Grove Golf Team is in the midst of the 2024 season. Team members have been putting in individual practice at ranges to prepare for the season stretch.

The spring golf season started on March 28th at the Strafford High School tournament. Since then, the Fair Grove Golf Team has competed at five other tournaments from around the area. 

Even though the season just began in March, members of the golf team have been putting in hours of personal practice in the months leading up to the competition season. Many of the team members have put in their own personal time at golf ranges and courses to practice their swings. 

One of these team members is Atticus Brandes (11). Brandes has been competing in golf since the 8th grade, although he has been playing the sport since he was five years old. 

In order to get ready for the season, Brandes has been practicing for months in advance. Brandes stated, “I prepare for each golf season by putting extra work in during the summer. I like to go out and play with friends or coworkers and also attend the range by myself.” 

Brandes was a very successful member of the golf team last year. He was a competitor at the state level and one of the star members of the golf team. This year he is planning on improving on what he accomplished in past seasons. Brandes said, “My goals are to earn first team all conference/district as well as compete at the state level. At the state level it would be amazing to finish better than last year or hopefully be in the top ten.”

Another team member with big aspirations this season is Finnegan Harp (9). Harp is a new golfer who has been playing the sport for a total of six months. He is currently a varsity team member who has attended all varsity tournaments and is shooting an average score of 95. 

For his debut season Harp is looking to keep it simple in his goals. Harp explained, “This season I am hoping to keep all my clubs in one piece and shoot under 100 every tournament.”

So far the golf team has participated in seven tournaments with the last being the Mid Lakes Conference Tournament on April 23rd. 

Brandes is leading this young team while performing well in competitions in the first half of the season. On April 5th at the Seymour Golf Tournament, Brandes was the top scoring player from Fair Grove while placing 3rd overall. 

With the season beginning to wrap up, the team will be heading to the Class 2 District 3 tournament on May 2nd for a successful shot at state.