2012 Spring Preview: East Ridge boys golf team hopes to tee off on its opponents this year

With a majority of its athletes returning to the course, the East Ridge boys golf team is looking to tee off on its opponents this spring.

Last year, East Ridge showed what it was capable of at the Suburban East Conference championship tournament by shooting a 315 – just five strokes back of the top spot.

East Ridge had three All-Conference golfers on the year. Tyler Fitzsimmons had the conference’s 16th best average at 78.25, followed by Jaik Winbush at 78.5 and Brady Hanson with a 78.75 average. Logan Delaney earned honorable mention honors with a final average of 80.75.

Winbush, a senior, and juniors Hanson, Delaney and Fitzsimmons all return to the Raptors this season. However, East Ridge will need to replace graduates Luke Schrader, Will Fenton and Spencer Patterson.

“I am expecting good things,” East Ridge head coach Brett Brookins said. “With 70 percent of the team coming back and new guys stepping in, we have a solid foundation right now. The boys will need to focus on their goals, and the team goals, along with practicing hard and making the shot at-hand count.”

This spring, East Ridge hopes to send its first golfer to the state tournament.

At last year’s two-day section competition, East Ridge shot a 330 on day No. 1 and lost a tie-breaker with rival Woodbury to play on the second day.

Brookins, in his third year with the Raptors golf team, said Forest Lake would likely be the team to beat in the Suburban East Conference this season. Last year’s section champion Eastview, along with Eagan and Apple Valley are expected to be among the top teams in the section.

East Ridge kicks off the season on Tuesday, April 10, at River Oaks, then starts conference play on Tuesday, April 17, at North Oaks Golf Club. East Ridge will also take part in the elite Tri-State Tournament at Edinburgh at the end of April, days after returning from a weekend in Nisswa where the Raptors will play the highly regarded Pines and Preserve courses at Grand View Lodge.

Tags: 2012 spring preview, sports, prep, updates