The Broken Bow boys golf team begins competition this week for the 2024 season. Riley Weems is in his second year as head coach of the team. Weems took time to visit with KCNI/KBBN sports about this year’s team and the upcoming season. As we know, mother nature can play a large role in the golf season. In years past, weather conditions have not always been ideal at the beginning of the season and have limited practice time on the course. This year has been different. The weather has cooperated for the most part and has allowed the team to get on the course and driving range. Coach Weems said that the favorable weather conditions for the start of practice have been very beneficial.
“Yes. Actually, this year is the first year since I’ve been helping with the program that we’ve actually been able to hit the ground running. We’ve usually had to spend the first 2-4 weeks on the golf simulator…This year we haven’t had to be on that at all and it’s been nice. We’ve been out on the course. We’ve been on the practice green. We’ve been on the driving range. The boys have finished anywhere from 5-6 practice rounds of golf already. It has been a welcomed change this year.”
One of the things that has stood out to coach Weems so far has been the competition he has seen in practice.
“Yes-for sure. The thing about being able to play practice rounds is the boys get to play against each other and this year they’ve really been pushing each other to really get better in all aspects of the game. I have some boys shooting scores better now than they were shooting probably even toward the middle of the season last year. I really feel it’s because we have been able to hit the course right away. It’s going to be a competitive year for sure this year and I’ve even told the boys JV and Varsity could be changing throughout the whole year. That’s pretty much how close some of these boys are with one another.”
Weems applauded his upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) for the way they have led by example and set the tone in practice.
“I have three seniors. My seniors are Dakota Baum. He was on varsity all year last year and he’s done a good job this year providing team leadership. I’ve also got Gavin Wright and Brycen Woodward. I know Gavin went to a few varsity meets last year and Gavin and Brycen both went to a lot of junior varsity last year. They’ve all three really set the tone for how it’s going to be this year and how competitive we’re all going to be and I think they’re going to do a good job leading this year. I’ve also got two juniors, Gavin Carrizales and Austin Fox. They’re solidly up there where they are pushing for varsity time. They’ve also kind of gotten things going the way we want them to go basically. My five upperclassmen have been doing an amazing job.”
The Broken Bow boys golf team is scheduled to begin its season on Thursday when they head to Wildhorse Golf course for a dual with Gothenburg. Broken Bow is scheduled to play their first varsity meet of the season on Friday when they play at Lake Maloney golf course in North Platte.
Listen to our full interview with Broken Bow boys golf coach Riley Weems
