craigdailypress.com

Zach Ahlmer

Brady Martinez

Colter Tegtman

Kyler Willbanks

Just like golf courses vary, so too have Ken Harjes’ teams for the past 30 years.

This year’s team, however, shares a common goal from top to bottom, the Moffat County High School head golf coach said.

“Everyone on this team comes ready to work,” Harjes said. “They come to practice, they listen, they try to incorporate what we are teaching them.”

On Monday, Harjes traveled to The Hill golf course in Glenwood Springs with four of his youngest Bulldog golfers.

While they struggled at times, Harjes said his team’s defining trait shone through.

“They realized that every course plays different,” he said. “They worked hard and tried to make the changes. Sometimes, that is easier said than done, but they were trying to make the changes.”

For some of the players, it was their first time golfing on a course other than Yampa Valley Golf Course, let alone playing in a tournament, Harjes said.

“The course there plays a lot differently than the course here,” he said. “The greens are a lot faster. They don’t hold as well as they do in Craig.”

The MCHS quartet — sophomores Zach Ahlmer, Brady Martinez and Kyler Willbanks, and freshman Colter Tegtman — gained experience from their time on The Hill, something that can’t be measured in their scores, Harjes said.

“Aspen and Rifle brought their varsity teams,” Harjes said. “So, I think our guys were able to see how they handled their shots and their general course etiquette.”

Ahlmer shot a 121 to lead Moffat County, with Martinez, who shot a 122, Willbanks, 123, and Tegtman, 134, not far behind.

“At the end of the day, they were all excited, all smiling,” Harjes said. “I don’t think anyone was ready to turn in their clubs.”