The Aberdeen Central boys’ golf team will have a familiar look to it this fall.

The Golden Eagles return five of their six golfers who competed in last season’s Class AA state tournament.

That group includes senior Rylan Dykema, juniors Peyton Brust and Quincy Madsen, along with Carter Blanchard and Cole Brust.

There is no substitute for state tourney experience, according to Central coach Matt Brust.

“You don’t learn to play tournament golf without playing tournament golf,” he said.

Brust is starting his second season as the coach of the squad. He said he notices a difference from a year ago.

“It’s a little easier,” he said. “I think I have more of a handle on how to get the kids to prepare on a daily basis.”

He said the golfers had a solid summer out on the course, but that high school golf is different, especially once school gets started and the conditions gradually change.

“We had a good summer schedule which hopefully will translate into a good fall schedule,” Coach Brust said. “It gets harder when school starts and homework kicks in and there’s more stuff to keep up with, and the weather gets colder, you’ve got to dress differently, the times are different, everything changes which gives you challenges, but it shouldn’t be anything we can’t handle.”

The coach is counting on the older players to help mentor the younger members on the squad.

“Any time there is learning to be done it should be coming from maybe the upperclassmen,” he said, “how they carry themselves and how they get through what might be disappointing situations.”

Interestingly enough, one of the top golfers on the team is eighth-grader Cole Brust. His father and coach said a big part of the youth’s game is his demeanor on the course and his ability to control his emotions.

“He doesn’t deviate,” Coach Brust said. “You can look at him on the golf course and he might be 50 over or he might be two under. You can’t tell the difference. That’s fantastic.”

The Eagles just started practice this past week and have their first competition on Monday at a two-day tournament in Brandon and Sioux Falls. Coach Brust said that’s how fast the season will go, noting that the state tournament is only a couple of months away.

The golfers are coming off their summer season and now have to switch modes quickly.

“They’ve had a summer of some SDGA events, and some local club championships, and city championships and stuff like that,” Coach Brust said. “Now it’s time to get into it, so it should be a good season, but it’s short and fast.”