By Vern Hee

The Trojans Boys Golf Team is at home this Thursday for its first match of the season against Cheyenne, Clark, Faith Lutheran, Mojave and Western.

The match will allow Coach Bob Hopkins to evaluate the competition the Trojans face in the new 1A division. Last year, they finished third in a tough 4A division to Desert Oasis and Bishop Gorman. This year’s team is different. It’s minus Dorian Patel, the best golfer last season. He graduated last year.

Hopkins said this year was up in the air because of the realignment. He also said he had a very young and untested team.

The current top PVHS golfers discussed some problems they needed to iron out before their first match.

Dalton Beighley, the number one golfer on the team, said he had to work on his short game.

“My putting is pretty bad,” said Beighley. “It has gotten better. My driving is also not consistent and my irons are fine. Driving, putting and chipping, it kills me bad. In chipping, I have problems with mid-range chips.”

Derek Moore is the number two golfer, and just a freshman. He may not have the varsity experience, but he has been playing since he was 5. Moore also has played his share of junior golf tournaments.

Hopkins said Moore has a promising future.

“He came up through the junior golf program,” the coach said. “We are looking forward to good things from him in high school golf. Right now, when he plays Thursday he has qualified as number two.”

Moore said he will be working several different clubs this week. “I need to work on controlling my driver more and putting,” said Moore. “I have problems with the short putts within five feet.”

Kyle Steib is the number three golfer on the team. He said he will be working on his short game, too.

“I can’t hit my driver, but I can hit my other clubs far enough so I do not worry about it. I am chipping well enough now. My scores are going down enough. I would be happy to be able to average around 80 and have a low end 78. I am okay with the flat approaches to the green, but add a bunker and that messes with my mind along with water,” said Steib.

The Trojans’ next match will be on March 14 against the same teams.