Team of the Week: Soda Springs Golf

Soda Springs golf has had its ups and downs in recent years.  Though they have had some small successes there are some that would argue that the program has not reached its full potential.  One of the reasons given is a lack of long term consistency at the coaching position.  While there have been some good coaches and players, for that matter, it's just a fact in sports that it is hard to have long term success when coaching turnover occurs on a regular basis.  Enter Coach Bob Jorgensen.  Bob has been involved with the golf program in Soda Springs for several years through his golf simulator business JBar9 Golf.  Bob has allowed the high school golf team to come in and use his simulator for practices especially during the early spring when the snow does not allow them to get on an actual course.  Bob has had a front row seat to seeing coaches come and go over the years and always wished one or another would stick around a little more long term.  They say if you want something done right do it yourself and that is what Bob decided to do.  “When the job came open I applied for it and was hired.  I told them that I would be interested in doing it three or four years.”  Coach Jorgensen has a plan to get some younger coaches in the program during that time that would like to stick around and keep some consistency in the program.  “You have to have consistency.  Kids, dogs, and horses require it.”  

Coach Jorgensen has a leg up being a first year coach due to his close relationship with the team over the past couple of years.  He already has a knowledge of the kids and their abilities.  “Our girls are going to be strong for years to come.  There is a lot of good talent.  The seniors are excellent golfers and the ones coming up are going to be really good.”  Coach Jorgensen has even seen some potential coming up from the jr. high age girls.  “We have the potential to take the girls to state for the next five years.”  With the boys team Coach Jorgensen also sees some bright spots but admits they aren't as deep as the girls right now.  That being said he does think with a little more focus and training they will get there.  In addition to his own personal knowledge Coach Jorgensen also has some help with assistant coaches Chris Capell, April Nelson, and Connie Parker.  Chris has been with the team for the past couple of seasons while April and Connie are new to the program this year.  When asked what excites them about coaching this year April and Connie both expressed how much they have enjoyed learning right along with the kids.  They were also very impressed with the progress that they have already seen early in the season.  Coach Parker went on to say, “Golf is a really great sport for teaching focus.  I think it's really good that we have this program.  It’s great for the kids that maybe aren't built for a team sport but really want to compete.”  Coach Nelson stated, “I like to see the personal improvement.  Watching them continually and consistently improve from where they started.”  

On this year's teams there are nine players for each the boys and the girls teams.  Out of those nine players only five get to play varsity each week.  This results in some inter team competition as the five varsity spots can change week to week.  As the teams get things going the boys team members are Ryker Tingey, Preston Ozburn, Chase Jacobson, Gage Peck, Barrett Hobbs, Eli Byrum, Mylez Ozburn, Kayden Peterson and Logan Mellor.  Tingey, P. Ozburn, Jacobson, Peck, and Hobbs are the varsity team to start the season off for the Cardinal men.  The girls team members are Oakley Peck, Waylon, Lowe, Cierra Capell, Jasta Stoor, Kale Hopkins, Addelyn Smith, Jacee Tingey, Presley Camp, and Tara Vedder.  Peck, Capell, Lowe, Vedder and Stoor will be the Lady Cardinal varsity team to start off the season.  

The Cardinals were supposed to play in American Falls for their first meet on Thursday the 28th but after arriving at the course they were promptly sent home due to bad weather.  Rather than just head home the team decided to make a stop at a driving range and get some work in anyway.  After a disappointing end to their first meet the Cardinals then traveled to Blackfoot on Monday the 1st where they were able to find some success.  The boys team would not be able to place in the top three but would see some good initial scores to start off the season.  The girls team did very well as they were able to snag the top spot as a team beating district foes Bear Lake, Aberdeen and West Side.    

As the interview came to a close, Coach Jorgensen said , “I’m not a professional but to me it's about the kids.  They deserve every opportunity they can get to excel not only in golf but in life.”  With that the Cardinals are off to a good start on the season and seem to be trending in the right direction.

Individual Boys Scores Individual Girls Scores

Ryker Tingey 90 Oakley Peck 95

Preston Ozburn 97 Cierra Capell 99

Chase Jacobson 110 Waylon Lowe 104

Gage Peck 110 Tara Vedder 108

Barrett Hobbs 113 Jasta Stoor   116