Reuter and Sanroman to lead promising Clark Fork golf team

Senior Cole Reuter has medaled at the 3A Idaho state golf tournament each time he’s participated.

Reuter is entering his senior year with aspirations of achieving his best statistical season with the Wampus Cats.

“I want to continue to be the best player that I can be,” Reuter said. “I want to win as many tournaments as I can and hopefully win districts.”

His freshman year, he placed seventh at the tournament and improved his placement to sixth in 2021.

Reuter hopes to improve his placing at the state tournament this year. He said that top-5 is in sight for 2022.

Reuter has golfing in his blood; both his dad and grandpa are experienced golfers.

“He comes from a golfing family,” Clark Fork golf coach Brian Arthun said. “He’s also a three sport athlete. For him to do as well as he has at the state tournament is pretty remarkable.”

Reuter has been golfing with his dad and grandpa since he was 10 years old.

“My dad's old boss would take him out golfing and I’d always try to go,” Reuter said. “The Idaho Club was where I would golf normally. Playing weekends with my dad made me fall in love with the game.”

The love for the game translated into Reuter and his dad building their own chipping green in their backyard. Along with that, Reuter is going to California in April to play on some courses to improve his game.

“I’ve been hitting on the chipping green and I’m really excited to go to California,” Reuter said. “Once we go down to California, we’re going to check out some courses down there. That’ll help me for the rest of the season.”

The weather has plagued the Wampus Cats the last two years, delaying the season and making it hard for them to practice.

Arthun, who’s entering his eighth year as head coach for Clark Fork, is also a 17 year Clark Fork native and said he’s gotten used to the slow starts.

“Winter is different every year,” Arthun said. “It’s just like the old saying goes, if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.”

The boys will also be bringing back Carter Sanroman.

Sanroman is a two-sport North Star League MVP in both football and basketball this season.

Sanroman juggled golf and baseball last year, but he’s committing to golf in 2022.

“He picks things up extremely well,” Arthun said. “He’s going to focus on golf this year from my understanding. Him and Cole are really competitive against one another.”

Reuter and Sanroman look at everything as competition according to Reuter.

“I hooked him on golf,” Reuter said. “His whole family is super competitive, so every time he sees me hit a good shot, he wants to hit a better shot.”

Reuter and Sanroman are the two most experienced golfers on Clark Fork’s team, so friendly competition has improved both of their games, according to Reuter.

The Wampus Cats’ number three golfer will also be back in the fold in 2022. Jacob Abott.

Arthun said the senior has gotten better every year and hopes that process continues in 2022.

Clark Fork will have some fresh faces in its lineup; sophomore Landon Pierson will make the jump to varsity.

“He made a lot of improvements last year and I really like his game,” Arthun said. “It’s just a matter of him taking the next step this year. He works really hard so that next step shouldn’t be a problem.

Reuter, the most seasoned golfer on the team, said that the team is a little green, but they’re getting better as the season comes closer.

“Mostly everyone on the team is a beginner,” Reuter said. “They’re really trying to get things figured out every day.”

The entire pod for Clark Fork is returning to action in 2022, which is a huge bonus for the Wampus Cats, especially in competition.

“They understand the drills and the program,” Arthun said. “They understand what it’s like to go to a tournament as well. When you have a kid that plays with his family but has never played in a tournament, they find out quickly it's a different mental game.”

Clark Fork didn’t have a girls team in 2021, but Arthun is hoping that changes in 2022 with the addition of Lilly Reuter.

“I’m hoping we can add some more girls, but Lilly is going to be fine,” Arthun said. “She knows the game pretty well.”

Cole Reuter going to state two years in a row is a huge accomplishment for him and Clark Fork golf, but Arthun is looking to get the whole team to the state tournament in 2022.

“I don’t remember the last time we had a team go down to the state tournament,” Arthun said. “The boys can be solid and if we get a couple more numbers on the girls team we should be in good shape. The more numbers you have on your team, the better your chances are of going to state.”

Reuter said that the kids on the team are just having fun as of right now.

“I talked a lot of my buddies into playing for my senior year,” Reuter said. “We’re just focusing on having a lot of fun right now. We’re just taking it day-by-day to see how far we can go.”