Perhaps more so than any other sport, golf requires excellent mental toughness. It’s a sport where teams need leaders to encourage and lift teammates who are struggling. Fortunately for the Mountain Ridge boys golf team, finding these examples of leadership shouldn’t be a problem. 

The Sentinels have a large team that includes seasoned veterans combined with some younger players who are eager to prove themselves and contribute to the team’s success. A good chunk of the players on the squad are seniors, something that head coach Ryan Avila believes will pay dividends this season. 

“Our biggest strength is our leadership,” Avila said. “We’ve got a big senior class that will set the tone for the rest of the team. We’ve also got a deeper team than we’ve ever had, with everyone ready to compete for varsity spots.”

The varsity squad includes nine seniors, each of whom is excited for the season and eager to lead with their play, work ethic and attitude. Those seniors are Kooper Ashauer, Reagan Bailey, Gavin Chazen, Goen Gibby, Cooper Jones, Jake Lavender, Tyson Rich, Alex Terrion and Nate Vance. 

“They are all returning players and will be the glue that holds the team together,” Avila said.

The junior class is strong too, and there are solid performers and good leaders in that group as well. Avila is excited to see what these 11th graders—Carter Camp, Jaxon Hunt, Tag Natter, Breken Ross and Kason Shields—will do to complement their senior counterparts. 

“They will all have big roles to fill this year,” Avila said of the juniors. 

A quartet of sophomores—Connor Cantwell, Tag Ihler, Korver Kay and Tyce Olson—could be contributors this season as well. Avila is intrigued with freshmen Bridger Blood, Jake Bowen and Miles Vance. 

“[The freshmen] will all be learning the ropes and keeping the seniors on their toes as they start their freshman seasons,” Avila said. 

As the season has gotten underway, Avila has been impressed with the players’ desire to improve and compete at a high level. He also likes how they are getting along and establishing good camaraderie and team culture. He said the boys like to have fun but know when it’s time to get to work. 

“We are very excited to start this season,” Avila said. “The guys have come into this season ready to work hard and compete with each other while also being extremely supportive of one another. Everyone is serious when it comes to producing, but they joke and enjoy the atmosphere when it’s over.”

Region 2 won’t be a cakewalk by any stretch of the imagination. Avila knows his team will have to be at its best at each tournament if it wants to achieve its goals and be successful. In Region 2, the Sentinels will go up against previous league opponents Bingham, Herriman, Copper Hills and Riverton. New region teams Westlake and Cedar Valley offer unfamiliar challenges. 

Avila has high expectations for the season despite the formidable opposition. 

“We expect to be competitive with the top of our region and get better every week,” he said. “The goal is to be at our best when the state tournament arrives and to make the cut as a team at state.”

In golf, the most successful teams are deep and have a lot of players make the cut at tournaments. Avila knows that every member of the team will have to do his part for the Sentinels to be among the top squads in the region. Mountain Ridge may not have a lot of stars, but there are plenty of golfers who can help the team lower its overall score. 

“It’s going to take everyone on the team getting better and better every day,” Avila said. “We will not be able to rely on one or two individuals this year; it will take a group effort.”

In some ways, the large number of players that Avila can turn to presents some challenges for Mountain Ridge. Avila is eager to see who emerges to become the top players on the team. 

“It will be tough for me to choose the best lineup every tournament,” he said. “Each tournament has only eight varsity spots, but we've got 21 guys that are all very competitive with the potential to go low. We are excited, though, for the guys to rise to the occasion under the added pressure.”

With the mental aspect of golf being so critical, Avila said he will spend a lot of time making sure the players have the right mindset. He believes this focus will lead to better golfing and the results that the team wants. 

“Our mental toughness will be a point of emphasis this season,” he said. “Our team has plenty of skill, but on the golf course, so much of the game is mental. Improving our mental strength will be a key to playing well.”

Because of the great leadership the Sentinels have, Avila said his job is easy and it’s enjoyable. He is impressed each day with the caliber of people he coaches. 

“I love watching [the players] do the right things without needing to be told to,” he said. “These kids are incredibly responsible and accountable for their actions. They treat each other and those around them with respect, play by the rules with a positive attitude and take on leadership roles when they present themselves.”