Messenger photo by Eric Pratt: Returning letterwinners for the Fort Dodge boys golf team are (left to right): Trace Rial, Davis Underberg, Gavin Davis, Mason Frevert, Trenton Beck and Jaxson Dencklau.

The Fort Dodge boys golf squad is hoping small gains early on lead to bigger strides down the road as the Dodgers prepare for the 2024 campaign.

Third-year head coach Nick Vinson is keeping an eye on his team’s early progress, and the first tests of the season come on Monday at Mason City and Tuesday in Marshalltown.

Nothing will be set in stone after the opening week, but Vinson feels like getting back into competition mode is important for a group that returns four varsity regulars and six letterwinners in all.

“I think the guys are all anxious to get going and see where we stand,” Vinson said. “We’re definitely better than we were a year ago, but what that will look like score-wise is still (to be determined).

“The important part is getting better every day. It would be nice to get to the point where our scores are more consistent regardless of where we’re playing. I’d like to see us perform almost the same score-wise, or within reason, especially as our guys continue to become more familiar with the courses we see year after year.”

Trenton Beck is the lone senior for what is otherwise a relatively young squad again this fall. Juniors Jaxson Dencklau, Gavin Davis and Zain Rowe will be joined by sophomores Mason Frevert, Davis Underberg and Trace Rial in the initial varsity lineup for a nine-hole dual against the Riverhawks on Monday at Highland Park Golf Course.

“We’ve taken a step forward,” Vinson said. “How much remains to be seen. Our swings are better. They were on the course a lot this summer. But until you get into competition mode, it’s hard to tell.

“Moving up the standings at some of the 18-hole invitationals would be a realistic goal, along with finding ways to beat teams (in duals) that we were close to (in 2023). I don’t necessarily want to put specific numbers on anything yet, but I have some things in mind and they should, too.”

Frevert and Dencklau led the way statistically last season, with Underberg and Rial following graduated senior Evan Pratt.

“(Assistant coach) Angela (Dencklau) and I have talked quite a bit about being able to draw from past experiences,” Vinson said. “Everyone has a round where they have a bad shot or a rough hole. How do you respond? How do you fight through adversity and get back on track? It’s just a maturity thing. Developing a consistent mindset.

“Having so many underclassmen play at the varsity level will hopefully start to pay dividends these next few years. That’s part of the progression in becoming a better player and, ultimately, a better overall team and program.”

The Dodgers’ annual Joselyn Invitational is next Tuesday at the Fort Dodge Country Club.

2024 FORT DODGE BOYS GOLF

Roster

Senior – Trenton Beck.

Juniors – Jaxson Dencklau, Gavin Davis, Zain Rowe, Sam Davidson, Alec Johanson, Karter Hemrick, Hunter Kasperbauer.

Sophomores – Mason Frevert, Davis Underberg, Trace Rial, Keaton Hawkins, Aden Tjalsma, Ace Grell.

Freshmen – Alex Berger, Caleb Huse, Malachi Harvey, Bryson Hansel.

Schedule

Aug. 19 – at Mason City; 20 – Marshalltown Invitational; 27 – Joselyn FDSH Invitational at the Fort Dodge Country Club; 29 – at Mason City Invitational.

Sept. 4 – at Ankeny Invitational; 10 – Ames; 16 – Ames Invitational; 19 – Marshalltown Invitational; 23 – at Indianola Invitational; 24 – Des Moines East and Des Moines Roosevelt; 25 – at Southeast Polk Invitational.

Oct. 3 – IAC Invitational at Marshalltown.