They want to stay the course

PINEHURST, Idaho – Winning an unexpected state title last year was so fulfilling for the Kellogg High School boys golf team, the Wildcats want to do it again this spring.

With four of its top five players back, no wonder the word “repeat” is a part of Kellogg’s vocabulary these days.

When Kellogg captured Intermountain League and District I titles last year, the Wildcats headed to state with a modest goal: They wanted to play two days. To do that, they had to be in the top four after the first round.

So imagine their delight and surprise when they found themselves tied atop the leaderboard after a day best suited for ducks not golfers.

It rained so hard – sideways at times – that Kellogg shot 25 shots worse than it had at district. The Wildcats walked off the course after that round smiling while many of their competitors were grumbling and wondering why the round hadn’t been postponed.

They weren’t smiling necessarily because of their feat, but because of the weather.

“It was the worst weather we played in all year,” remembered junior Kyle Finlay. “We got down there two days early and had two of the hottest days we had all year. We went from that to hurricane-like conditions.”

In many ways, it reminded them of home.

“Actually, I think the weather played in our favor,” senior Shea Sevy said. “That’s what we golf in in North Idaho. We grinded through it. It wasn’t fun. I went through five gloves in three holes – two in one hole because it was so wet.”

“It was another day on the golf course for us,” said senior Carter Wardwell.

Kellogg not only was prepared for the weather, it was prepared for the pressure, too. Four of its five qualifiers – Finlay, Sevy, Wardwell and Sam Redmond – had zero varsity experience going into the season. Because they were all about the same level along with another varsity contender, Matt Kilbourne, they had some competitive qualifying matches within their team.

“Stressful qualifiers,” as Sevy called them.

So in many ways, the Wildcats were prepared for all the elements.

Their top golfer, Derek Jarvey, graduated. But the competition within the ranks remains and could probably create as many stressful inner contests this season.

So coach Simon Miller isn’t concerned that his team might rest on its laurels. If any Wildcat slacks, another from a competitive junior varsity team will be poised to step up.

“We have some guys on the JV that would be in the top five on other teams in our league,” Sevy said.

What made last year even more special is it was unforeseen.

“We knew we had a good team; we knew we could place, but no way did I think we could win,” Wardwell said.

“It was amazing,” Redmond said. “I still can’t believe it. It’s the highlight of my life so far.”

Redmond and his teammates can add another highlight to their careers with a repeat.

Winning a second straight year, though, may prove to be more difficult than the first title.

“It’s easily a possibility,” Redmond said of a repeat. “We’re much better than we were last year. But this year there will probably be more pressure. Last year we came in as an unknown. This year teams will know who we are.”

But these Wildcats are up for the challenge. They topped Payette in a one-hole playoff to secure the state title a year ago.

“My goal for the team going to state (last year) was getting to the second day,” Miller admitted. “What struck me about how we played was that as wet and as cold as it was, our kids weren’t complaining. They kept their heads up and kept playing. After the first round we went to the motel. The kids said, ‘Coach, we’re going to win this.’ I didn’t have to convince them. They believed.”

So the strategy this season is simple.

“Our motto is to control ourselves and play the best we can play,” Miller said. “We can’t control what the other teams do. But we can control what we can do.”