The Park Hill South boys golf team is teeing up for another big season this spring after welcoming some depth to the roster.
While they lost state qualifiers Keegan Feder and Matt Parker, they still feel confident in their talented roster. The team is returning three seniors who were 2024 state qualifiers, including all-conference and all-district golfers Drew Hurley and Clayton Wichman as well as Drew Kobayashi.
“I expect us to be very competitive this season,” said head coach Tracy Mangels. “We qualified for State last year as a team and have three of those players returning and the guys around them have worked really hard in the offseason to compete for a spot on varsity.”
Mangels, who is in her 11th year as head coach and 26th year with the program. She is assisted by James Janes this spring.
“The depth of the team this year is very exciting,” Mangels said. “It will enable us to create a competitive environment in practice as well as the tournaments.”
Mangels expects senior Nathan Verachtert and sophomore Haden Lea to have larger roles with the team this year. She also sees depth in additional underclassmen, who will push the returning golfers for a spot.
In the limited time competing before postseason play, Park Hill South hopes to get properly prepared so they can be playing its best golf when districts arrive in late April. The Panthers have their eyes set on a first state medal since 2008.