By Cooper Hemmes
Golf season is officially here and so is the Grand Rapids Community College Men’s Golf Team and they are ready to kick off yet another highly successful season.
Head Coach John Forton is in his 10th year coaching GRCC Golf and his expectations remain the same. “When we sit down in the spring, that’s the first thing we talk about is making it to nationals.”
While nationals are a lofty goal, he also is looking to win the conference and make the MCCA tournament.
Forton does know that there will be challenges this season, mainly regarding the weather. He said that weather challenges can be detrimental to the overall performance of the team.
“Well, the big thing is the weather, we have not had a legitimate practice where we’ve been out on the course as a team,” Forton said.
Team preparations for GRCC golf happens all throughout the winter. Some ways that Forton works with the team ahead of the season’s start is hard work in golf simulators throughout West Michigan. The team has access to one every other Monday during the offseason. They also go down to Alabama for spring break to sharpen their skills as well as build camaraderie amongst each other.
Some courses that Forton looks forward to playing this season are Stonegate in Muskegon as well as Island Hills in Centreville. But the course that holds a special place in Forton’s heart is Egypt Valley, The teams’ home course.
The team this season is younger than usual, with only two returning players with the rest being freshman. Forton said that one of the main reasons that the team goes down south for spring break is to evaluate these players and get comfortable as a group. Forton said that this team meshes well and keeps a pretty lighthearted atmosphere while together.
Sophomore team captain Evan Kaiser also has high expectations for this season, looking to make nationals as a team similar to Forton.
“The team this year might be the best we have had and have a good chance competing at nationals this year if we get hot,” Kaiser said.
Kaiser went over his strengths as a golfer, in his eyes his biggest strength is the ability to stay cool when he makes a bad shot, and not letting small things ruin his entire round. “It frees you up to be a better golfer and be carefree and play loose.”
The teams first match was scheduled for April 4 in Indiana but was cancelled due to inclement weather. Their next upcoming match is April 10 at Island Hills Golf Club in Centreville.
