While other Sedona spring sports are getting back to practice following a difficult start of the season, the Scorpions golf team is still suffering.

Due to inclement weather, the Scorpions have had to cancel matches at Oakcreek Country Club, which suffered storm damage to more than 1,000 trees.

Sedona Red Rock High golf coach Mike Webster said the golfers have remained poised during an unusual season.

 How much did the damage to the Oakcreek course temper expectations?
Well, we have not been able to practice there and some of our kids have never seen the course. When we do get to reschedule, it will be their first match at the course, which should be a hindrance.
 

Who would you say has improved the most this season?
Carter Parlin-Hanzel has probably shown the most strides on the team. Gavin Bruce hit every single fairway during our last match but missed a couple greens. Before this year, he had never picked up a golf club and he has improved by several shots. The freshmen have improved after every match, so next season could be a great season for us.
 

How has the team dynamic been lately?
It has been great. The players seem to get along very well and have a lot of fun. They like to joke around with each other, which is great to see.

 What are you looking for from your team for the rest of the season?
Just to steadily improve as the season progresses. I think there are different aspects of the game that each player needs to improve on. The players all know that, so we will be looking at how they have progressed in certain areas. Our main is having them consistently lower their scores for the remainder of the season.
 

How much more can the freshmen players improve during the offseason?
If they practice over the summer, they can be vastly improved from this season. I think we will be back at state by their sophomore or junior season. We also have an eighth-grade golfer joining next year, so we should have a pretty strong team moving forward.

 What is the biggest obstacle for young golfers?
Transportation is what is really the biggest obstacle. Getting them to and from golf courses can be difficult,
as golfers cannot just practice in a gym. Parents or somebody has to get them from school to the golf course and then home. With such a young team, transportation becomes even more important. We only have one senior on the team, so we cannot even rely on rides from teammates
this year.
 

How have the players progressed towards achieving their preseason goals?
We have not gotten very far in that area for sure with our limited practice schedule. I think the kids have taken it fairly well, however. Basically, every team we have played this season has gone through the [same] situation.
We have not faced a team that practices every single day and wipes us off the map. Our only loss this season has been to Northland Prep but that is basically because of their three great seniors.
We [faced] Bagdad last week, so I believe the team is taking it in stride. We only won by two strokes but we should have won by about eight or nine. Some of our decision-making might have cost us a few strokes, so the inexperience hurt us in that regard.

Are there any positives from a tough season like this?
I think a positive will be that it forces kids to improve on their own time. If the kids do that, [it] could lead to more practicing
on their own even when the weather is nice. Hence, they will be much improved golfers if they do that on the weekend or in the offseason.
 

How has the season been as a coach?
It has been frustrating with the weather, and I thought we would be much further along. I thought our scores would have been lower already but you have to take it all in stride. Mother nature has a weird way this year of dumping 14 inches of snow on you. Oakcreek being closed for an entire month has forced players to play at Agave Highlands and Sedona Golf Resort.
The Scorpions returned to the links on Tuesday, March 26, to face Williams High School. Scores were not available by press time.
Sedona’s next home match is Thursday,
April 4, when the Scorpions host Camp Verde and BASIS School Flagstaff. The match will take place at Sedona Golf Resort. Last year, The Scorpions placed third