Marshfield’s boys golf team is in the hunt for a state title after opening their season at Bandon Crossing on March 19. The team consists of nine players total, with five varsity and four JV athletes.
Scott Banks, who has coached golf at MHS for 11 years, has high expectations for the team because four of the five varsity players have two years of varsity experience. The varsity boys are juniors Cody Easton, Jacob Klein, Preston Luckman and Sean Paris along with sophomore Kasey Banks, who is returning as MHS’s number one boys’ varsity golfer.
Coach Banks’ 30 years of experience in golf allows him to help the young players in all aspects of the game. With no seniors out for golf, Coach Banks has chosen Klein, Luckman and Banks to lead the team as captains.
“I enjoy seeing athletes improving their skills, competing and building friendships that last years,” Coach Banks said.
The boys will compete in ten 18 hole matches at varying courses such as Bandon Trails, Bandon Dunes, Eagle Crest, Tetherow, Umpqua Resort and Sandpines before the district tournament in May at Bandon Crossings.
“With this collection of players, the Pirates are ready to compete in the Far West League,” Coach Banks said.
Kasey Banks said his goal is to win state after the team had a building year with a young team last season. Luckman shares these goals as well. The state tournament will be in Redmond at Eagle Crest Resort May 19-20.
“My hope for this year is for our team to be the first team ever in Marshfield history to be golf state champions,” Luckman said. “My individual goal is to become a district champion.”
The team practices every day after school at Watson Ranch for two to four hours depending on the type of practice they have.
“I like just getting to hang out with the guys, and the social aspect of golf, because I’m usually a quiet guy but being on the course gets me talking,” Kasey Banks said.
The boys team will solely represent MHS in the sport this season after the girls team was unable to get a coach to lead the program.
“It’s sad that we don’t have girls to represent our school by golfing,” Luckman said.
The boys hosted the first home tournament at Watson Ranch on March 31. They won with a score of 338 with four golfers placing in the 80s including an 80 by Banks, 84 by Luckman, 85 by Klein and 89 by Paris.
