Sandpoint golfers tee off season on Monday

SANDPOINT — How’s this for some insight into spring sports in Sandpoint: The boys high school golf team was happy to be chipping balls into nets on the football field behind the middle school Thursday afternoon.

Most high school teams have the luxury of practicing on actual golf courses, and would consider chipping balls on a football field a lost cause. But after two straight brutal winters and long-lingering snow, the SHS team is simply enjoying the opportunity to hit balls off actual grass before its first meet Monday in Clarkston.

Head coach Jim Alsager is coaching the girls team again, and will also steward the boys squad after longtime and popular coach Mike Keough stepped down this year due to heart problems. While Alsager’s teams are both young and mostly inexperienced, he’s encouraged by a much earlier start to the season.

“Towards the end of the last couple years we’ve caught up with people,” explained Alsager, whose team had precious little practice time last season. “They won’t have quite as much jump on us.”

Leading the girls team will be junior captain Jessie Webster-Merwin, who figures to be among the top golfers in the league this year. She was instrumental in helping the Bulldog girls claim a district title last season, and is hungry for more.

“She’ll pick up where she left off last year,” said Alsager, noting she hopes to play after high school. “She’s very serious about it and cares enough to put in the practice time.”

Junior Charissa Chatburn also returns with varsity experience, and will team with Margaret Nieman, Ashlie McIntire and Beth Lewis on a team comprised of all underclassmen.

The boys will be led by brothers Chris and Mike Lewis, who will start the season as No. 1 and 1A atop the boys varsity lineup. The two juniors each return with varsity experience and will be vying for the top spot all season.

“I’ll let the Lewis boys flip a coin for it (top spot),” said Alsager of who will play No. 1 on Monday. “We’re that close.”

Connor Currie, Kanyen Bauer and Kyle Bush will round out the varsity five, at least for now, as Alsager is hoping a few more boys with golfing experience decide to come out for the team.

The Bulldogs will practice at the Elks Golf Course and The Idaho Club this year when each officially opens, which should be much sooner than the past two seasons. Alsager is also excited about the addition of local golfer Mike Craven, who is helping coach the team.