The South Loup Bobcats are ready to hit the links as this year’s golf season tees off with 15 athletes on the roster, including 10 who are new to the game.

Head coach Jarod Rush is excited to watch his team grow and improve as the season drives on.

“My goal is to see each one of them improve and to learn the game,” he said. “ For the returners I hope we can be competitive at each meet and to compete for the Conference Title.”

Returning letter winners include senior Grant Hrupek; and juniors Dawson Doggett, Joey Sallach, and Dillon Handley.

With only one-third of the team having previous competitive golf experience, this year will be a challenge for the Bobcats, but Coach Rush has full faith in his team and expects them to be a competitive bunch.

When asked what he is looking forward to the most this season, he was full of optimism. “Watching the kids improve and to see who is willing to put the time and effort in that it takes to be a good golfer,” said Coach Rush. “ We have a pretty even top 7 or 8 golfers, so each week will be a good battle to see who is in the top 5.”

Seniors out this season include Grant Hrupek, Kaden Paulsen, Taylor Ross, and Lauryn Johnson; the juniors include Dawson Doggett, Joey Sallach, Dillon Handley, and Brady Brestel. Two sophomores, Harper Johnson and Chance Dishman; and rounding out the team are freshmen Chenney Dishman, Neltje Reiff, Hayden Myers, Haydn Stretesky, and Luke Tullis.

The Bobcats will open their season on Friday at 10 a.m. with a JV contest at Augusta Winds Golf Course in Stapleton. The varsity team will also travel on Friday to Prairie Hills Golf Course in Amherst. First tee is at 10 a.m. Bobcats golf schedule March 30 - JV at Stapleton (Augusta Winds GC), 10 a.m.

March 30 - Varsity at Amherst (Prairie Hills GC), 10 a.m. April 6 - Varsity at Arnold GC, 10 a.m.

April 13 - Varsity at Hershey (Oregon Trails GC), 10 a.m. April 20 - Varsity at Thedford (Thedford GC), 10 a.m.

April 24 - JV at Arnold GC, 3:30 p.m.

April 27 - MNAC Invitational at Mullen (Mullen GC), 10 a.m.

April 28 - Varsity at Overton (Overton GC), 9 a.m.

April 28 - JV at Mullen (Mullen GC), 2 p.m.

May 4 - Varsity at St. Pat’s (River’s Edge GC) 9 a.m.

May 10 - Varsity at Mullen (Mullen GC), 11 a.m.

May 15 - Districts at Cambridge (Cross Creeks GC) May 23 and 24 - State at North Platte (Lake Maloney GC), 9 a.m.