Malta Golf 2023

The Malta Golf Team is chock full of talent with a total of 21 athletes this season, which also includes six seniors.

The senior class includes Kaden Bishop, Eli Hanson, Camryn Mears, Addy Anderson, Kennedy Koss, and Madison Williamson. The junior class consists of Elly Anderson and Sydney Gibbs. Sophomores are Kyann Bergos, Kellen Murray, Jason Negus, Braydon Rhoads, and Brittney Sorlie. The freshman class includes Kylie Bishop, Nikki Fast Horse-Johannesen, Shaylee Hines, Layla Messerly, Trooper Stiles, and Emree Stuart.

Last year, Malta sent a girls team and boys team to compete at the 2022 State Golf Tournament in Anaconda. Those that participated were Bishop, Murray, Stolem, Gibbs, Koss, Sorlie, and Bergos.

"There was a lot of knowledge gained from that experience for those golfers, and I am excited to see them ready to get back to it," Malta Head Coach Kate Webb said. "Many of these golfers had top 10 and top five finishes throughout last season, and we had a few also with some first place finishes!

She said that many of the team has participated at state for the past two seasons, and they bring a lot of leadership and knowledge to this year's program.

"I am proud of what these individuals have accomplished individually and as a team, and am excited to see what this year holds for us," Coach Webb said.

Also returning is Assistant Coach Gordon Webb.

"He does a lot of the technical swing corrections and work with our golfers," Coach K. Webb said. "He has the knowledge and expertise, and he does a great job at that. When we are out in competition he knows how to prepare kids competitively and walks them through the vision and planning of where and how you want to play your ball. We are so fortunate and grateful to have him with us, he brings a lot to this program throughout the year!"

Like most teams across the Hi-line, Malta has not been able to practice at the golf course, so the team has been practicing upstairs inside of the Malta High School Gymnasium.

"We have four large golf nets, a couple of practice putting greens, and chipping net stations set up for our golfers to practice on," Coach Webb said. "Since we have 21 golfers out this year we have tried to manage hitting time by also implementing golf workouts in our rotation as well."

Despite the less than ideal practice situation, the team is doing well according to Coach Webb.

"Our players are patient and resilient, and have done well so far being inside," Coach Webb said. "They take the time they get in the nets seriously, and are focused on improving their swing while we have time inside to do so."

Though they are first-timers at high school golf, Malta welcomes a handful of freshmen, many of which have participated in the Summer golf program held at Marian Hill Golf Course since third grade and fourth grade.

"Our freshmen class is so talented in so many ways, and I am excited to see what they bring to the program this year and into the future," Coach Webb said. "We also have some new golfers out this year from the senior class, who have been very successful on and off the field throughout their high school career. I am excited to see how they will bring their leadership from their other extracurriculars to the golf program. It's a great and promising year so far for us, and we are eager to get out to golf!"

According to Coach Webb, the team has talked about their goals as golfers. On the first day of practice, she had each of the golfers sit down and write down their top three individual goals.

"Instead of focusing so much on outcome goals (shooting a certain round ex. Below 90), I wanted them to focus more on controllable goals. My overall goal for our team this year was to focus more on our short game and mental approach to competitions."

The golfers will also likely have more spectators at meets given the amount of golfers on the team, so the coaches are helping to prepare for those situations.

"With the addition of having spectators come out to support us, and us coaches being able to coach tee to green, that's a lot for young players to take on," Coach Webb said. "So we want to help them through that process as much as we can by preparing them as much mentally as technically."