By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
After the depths to which they sunk last season, it is difficult for the fortunes of the Elkhorn Area High School boys golf team to look anywhere but up.
All involved endured a trying season marked by inexperience in a conference with a strong golf tradition. The Elks finished seventh May 20 at Waterford’s Rivermoor Country Club in the Southern Lakes Conference Golf Tournament, and finished eighth in the overall conference standings.
Some from last year’s squad return, albeit older, wiser, stronger and full of motivation. Some newcomers are also in the mix, and coach Steve Fisher thinks the Elks will continue to improve and challenge for a spot in the top half of the SLC.
“That was our goal last year, and obviously we fell short of that,’ said Fisher, in his sixth season as coach. “But that’s what we want to do every year.”
The Elks No. 1 golfer this season is Troy Steinfest. Fisher said Steinfest missed last year’s WIAA Division 1 Waterford Sectional Meet by two strokes. Those who qualify for the sectional meet can qualify for the WIAA Division 1 State Individual Golf Tournament, which is held each June at University Ridge in Madison.
“I’m hoping he can at least get to sectionals this year,” Fisher said. “He works hard – he deserves it. Hopefully, we can get him there.”
Fisher said he looks for Steinfest to open the season with an 18-hole average in the high 70s to low 80s, and improve from there.
“He was kind of mid to low 80s last year,” Fisher said “He just couldn’t knock it down more to make some more noise in the conference, so hopefully he can do that this year.”
Dayne Fisher is also back. Fisher golfed varsity some last season as a sophomore. Golf is not necessarily his first sport, but Steve Fisher said Dayne has made notable progress from where he started as a freshman.
Alex Ballistreri and Grady Welsh are also back, as is junior Jake Trewyn. Steve Fisher said Ballistreri’s game mirrored that of the Elks last season, in that he performed hot and cold. Welsh golfed on varsity for most of the season.
“This year, with some of the young kids, it’ll be a problem for me, but I’m hoping we’ll have even more guys for those top spots,” Steve Fisher said.
Steve Fisher said more than 30 young men are out for golf, which is the second-highest number of players since he started coaching the program.
Steve Fisher said sophomores Robby Meuret and Kyle Strait will also contribute, and there are some freshmen that might also play their way into the mix.
“I’m hoping we’re going have maybe six guys pushing each other for those five spots,” Steve Fisher said.
As for competition in the SLC, on the strength of returning and transfer players Badger is to be a strong preseason favorite. Waterford is the four-time defending conference champion, and also appears to be strong. Burlington is also expected to field a solid squad.
It will be a marked improvement from last season if the Elks meet their goal of finishing in the top half of the SLC.
“I obviously want to be optimistic, but I want to be realistic, too,” Steve Fisher said. “Badger’s going to be really good this year, and Waterford will still be tough, even though they lost a couple of kids. I’m hoping to push those teams at the top and be in that top half of the conference.”
