Apache golfers have eye on state run

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GONZALES — It’s been awhile since the Apaches have had some success on the golf course. This year, however, the senior-laden boys’ team have been winning tournaments, taking down district opponents which has not only increased their confidence, but also has given the team a realistic goal of getting to the state meet.

“They’ve matured, they’ve committed themselves,” head coach J Lynn Barnick explained. “For example, these two [Jake Barnick and Kolby Kifer] have what they call ‘senior privilege period’ which backs up to their lunch and most days they’re down there practicing playing.”

The level of commitment from the team has catapulted the Apaches to district favorites and Barnick believes his team is on pace with the 2013 team he fielded when they were district champions.

“I compared this group to the group I had, Ryan Lee’s group,” Barnick said. “I’ve been score looking where we’ve played the same as them and we’ve been beating that team’s score every tournament. They’re pretty solid, these guys are starting to figure out what they need to do.”

Jake Barnick and Kolby Kifer believe the level of competition between the golfers have made them better.

“We’re all pretty close,” Kifer said.

“It’s always a competition between all of us,” Jake acknowledged. “You never know who is going to shoot the best any given day. Any given day any of the top four can beat each other.”

The head coach also mentioned the freshman who has made a big difference for the team.

“[Mason Richter] is really good. He’s improved our score by 15-20 strokes just by himself,” Barnick noted. “All in all, they’ve been really solid as far as all shooting in the 80s, maybe one or two might pop in the 70s and that’s what it takes. That’s what it takes.”

“There’s probably five or six schools that I’ve seen scores on that will probably shoot it out for the three spots to make it to state from the regional tournament. I’m already looking that far ahead.”

With realignment every two years, Barnick takes a look at top teams who tend to be on the edge of moving regions.

“We lost some really good golf programs in our region that kind of pop back and forth, Liberty Hill, Lampasas, Salado, they’ll either go Region 3, Region 2, Region 4 and they’re back out of our region, so that’s a huge advantage for us.”

Top Region IV-4A contenders, according to Barnick, include Fredericksburg, Boerne, Devine, Pleasanton and even Beeville Jones who has posted high scores.

“If we can shoot 320-324 [at the regional meet], somewhere in that neighborhood, for two days in a row, we got a good chance,” Barnick believes.

But before getting to the regional meet, the Apaches have to take a top two spot in district.

“Right now we need to focus on district because district is our goal,” Barnick said. “We haven’t beat Wimberley since I’ve been the coach. We’ve been beating them this year but we still have to go show up and play. The district tournament is two days, one day is at the Bandit in New Braunfels and the second day is at Wimberley’s home course, Quicksand. That’s a huge advantage for them and we have to go take care of the business of making sure we concentrate and focus on the district tournament and get that passed us.”

With the pace the Gonzales Apaches have been going on, the five-player team of Kifer, Barnick, Richter, Tristan Riley and Wade Miller can get to a place where that 2013 team didn’t go to. A state bid.

“They’ve got a great opportunity. Senior year,” Coach Barnick said. I’m proud of them because I’ve coached various sports and I’ve seen seniors get senioritis and not focus. I’ve seen it time and time again. These guys have [stayed focused]. I’m proud of them for that.”

The Apaches’ district tournament is from April 10-11.

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