The pieces are all in place, now it’s just a matter of executing for the Aberdeen Roncalli boys’ golf team this season.
The Cavaliers feature a variety of talented players up and down their lineup.
“I’ve said this for many years, but this year I truly mean it, I am a glorified bus driver this year,” said Roncalli coach Jon Murdy. “I have six kids who can play well. I have two more kids that are seventh-graders that are pushing them, so it’s not like just this year we’re going to be good.”
In fact, Roncalli has just one senior on the squad in Jesse Hernandez.
Other key members are Finn Anderson, Lucas Daggett, Harper Schnabel, Matthew Gerlach, Owen Vogel, Matthew Darling, and Parker Serr.
“You always make fun of those coaches when they just kind of have to show up and let the players (play),” Murdy said, “and that’s exactly what I’m going to have for the next couple years.”
When asked what he will do to keep the players sharp all season and not get complacent, Murdy said the boys will take care of a large share of that.
“The top three, with Lucas, Harper and Finn, they push themselves, mainly because it’s that old friend philosophy, I don’t want to lose to my friend. … They really want to be the number one for the team, which is in-house competition,” Murdy said. “Hopefully they can just keep it going that way instead of looking at the end results of trying to win a state title.”
Murdy knows the expectations of possibly winning a state championship will be talked about this season. He also knows there is much work to be done before that happens.
Murdy recalled a message his former hockey coach once told him about “a great coach will slash their tires and then build them up. That’s what it will kind of be all year,” Murdy said. “There’s going to be ups and downs, but again, we’re not going to sit there and say, we’re going to win state, we’ve got to beat everyone in this event and this event, but if we do a good build up to get to state, with how we play, how our short game is, all that, the clubs will do all the talking for us where we don’t have to.”
Because the Cavaliers have a number of golfers who are capable of shooting a team-low round on any given day, there is no specific top player.
“Every event, number one spot is up for grabs,” Murdy said. “If you don’t play well that event or you start getting some bad attitude or anything like that, then I got someone who can fill your shoes.”
The Cavaliers have a busy start to their season, opening at the Sioux Valley Invitational today, then playing at the West Central Early Bird on Tuesday, and more events including the Northeast Conference Tournament at Lee Park, in the next few days after that on Sept. 2. This year’s State A tourney is in Vermillion.
“I think we have six events in the first two weeks,” Murdy said, “but not having school that first week of the season, it’s like get as many as we can.”
Murdy said he has told his players not to get caught up in talk about what could happen this season, but rather let their play take care of that.
“Be patient, be aware of their surroundings, and don’t try to talk the talk, let the clubs do all the work. I’m a big component with the person who usually talks the most is the weakest,” Murdy said. “If we can get the kids to where they don’t have to talk about winning the state title, they can have everyone talk about us winning the state title, because our clubs are doing what they’re supposed to be doing, then we’re doing our job.”
