With the opening round of The Masters only weeks away for the pros, golf season is getting started. That means the first practices for boys’ golf team, coming off last season as conference champions.

Winning the conference is what the team is aiming for this year, hoping to capture it in consecutive seasons. “As a team, we want to win the conference and have everyone improve by the end of the season,” said senior captain Ben Rosengren.

Team members have already been improving this offseason, hoping to elevate their game during the winter months, “[I’ve been doing] lots of indoor hitting, putting on the carpet, [as well as] hitting in the simulators,” said junior Tanner Ahlborn.

Luckily for the team, this last winter produced little snow and a recent heat wave has helped get the Red Knights outside to practice. “I’ve already gotten in 3 rounds when at this time last year, I’d still be hitting inside,” said Ahlborn.

The Red Knights excel at driving, which made them a dangerous team this last season. “We’re really long off the tee and that’s what makes us so successful. Our short game is also very good,” said junior captain Adam Bilski.

The team hopes to get off to good start early in the season with an opening tournament at Chisago Lakes, but it starts with having the right mindset at practice. “[We need to] get down to business when we go to practice,” said Ahlborn

The players are looking forward to the season getting started and getting a chance to play at some of the courses they will play at this year. “TPC Twin Cities will be fun to play on, but the Ridges at Sand Creek is a tough one to play at,” said Bilski.

The Ridges at Sand Creek is where sections take place this year and the team knows it will be a long road to get there. “We need the seniors on the team to step up and lead, but the main thing is for everyone to work hard and focus in practice on making themselves better,” said Rosengren.