It’s been three days of official practice. Now, it’s time for the high school golf season to begin.

Thursday is the first day of the 2014 Wyoming high school golf season, and the Laramie Plainsmen and Lady Plainsmen will be in Sheridan the next two days for their invitational at Kendrick Golf Course.

Kurk Aegerter is in his 24th season as head golf coach at Laramie High School. He says it’s just a fast and furious start.

“If the kids have been playing all summer, as they have been, you know, we’re ready in three days. We just have to put a team together; play that first tournament to find out where we are; then we go from there.”

As a team, the Laramie boys were fourth at state last year and finished runner-up at the conference championships back in May of this year.

The Laramie Plainsmen are led by Senior John Murdock IV. The returning All-State performer finished third at the 2013 4A State Championship last fall in Rock Springs. Junior Ryan Bellflower and sophomore Grant Wrhel were also on the state roster.

Murdock IV says, “It’s going to be fun this year. I just want to keep working hard; working on what I need to work on to get better as a player. I had a lot of good experiences this summer.”

On the ladies side, the Laramie girls were fifth at state a year ago, but posted no team score at the conference championships in May because of only two team members. Three must play to post a team score.

For the Laramie Lady Plainsmen, returning All-State golfer Jacquie Perdue, who is just a junior, will be counted on to lead the way. Perdue was seventh last fall at the 2013 4A State Championships. Sophomore Amanda Warren is only other returning letterwinner.

Perdue looks forward to having four other team members in 2014.

“We finally have a full team, which is really nice… I have a lot of confidence in this team this year.”

They begin with 36 holes over two days in Sheridan.

Aegerter says in this first tournament I want to see if we can translate our game to a new venue.

“We’ve always done well here on our home course, as most team’s do… but, if we can take our swings on the road, that we have here, we’re gonna be good.”

Laramie will also play in Rock Springs, Cheyenne, Casper and Gillette during their six week season.

This year the season will end on the home turf, and Aegerter believes having the state tournament in Laramie is a big plus.

“Our kids know most of the bounces, and wherever they put a pin, they’re going to be comfortable. Our goal is to set up the course fair for each team, but we’re going to set it up where our team’s hopefully the most comfortable.”

Jacoby Golf Course is the host site for the 2014 4A State Championships September 26-27.

There’s a lot of golfing to do before those dates. The first tournament gets underway today in Sheridan with tee times at noon.

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