Reeths-Puffer will count on senior Kristian Brown to lead a very inexperienced Rockets' roster this spring. Brown is the only returning starter from last season's regional meet. He only missed qualifying for state by a few strokes, so that will be a clear goal of his for his final season on the links. Brown was also the No. 3 finisher in the O-K Green Conference individual standings a year ago.
"Including conference matches, he had seven top-10 finishes last year," R-P coach Matt Pallett said. "He is one of the better players returning in West Michigan this year. Kristian works hard on his game. He will help bring the other players along."
The Rockets were slated to have another returning starter in Kaeden Benner, but Benner, who previously played lacrosse, is back in that sport this spring. That leaves Brown as the clear leader of the squad, and Pallett said he's developed into a good one.
It's not a total youth movement for R-P. As last year's team was senior-heavy - Aiden Waggoner, Kye Grant and Ayden Hartzell have all graduated from the end-of-season starting lineup - there were several juniors playing at the JV level that now ascend to the varsity lineup. Two of those are Carter Hekkema and Beckett Mathes, who each have some varsity experience and hope to have strong seasons. Joining them is freshman Ian Vokal, who's quickly established himself as one of the team's better players. Sophomore Beckitt Johnson and junior Liam Thomas are two returners who will be in the mix to make the varsity lineup. Three juniors and first-time Rocket golfers - Mason Heck, Easton Roberts and Jordan Benkert - have shown potential and could become factors with quick improvement. Pallett said the team has shown good work ethic in early practices.
R-P will quickly learn what kind of team they have, with early matches on some tough courses like Egypt Valley, The Meadows and in Traverse City.
"The opening schedule will challenge us in many ways," Pallett said. "I plan to give many guys an opportunity early in the season to show us what they have and how they can play under pressure."
Those early matches will help the Rockets determine what are achievable goals for the team. The hope is obviously to be competitive in every meet, and once they get a look at their competition in the O-K Green, they can consider what kind of season is possible.
"We need to see where we stack up after the first few events, and then we will set high but realistic goals for our season," Pallett said.
