Helias kicks off golf season

Working on short game

The short game is always the last thing to come around in golf.

The Helias Crusaders saw that in the preseason and they saw it again as they opened the season Wednesday.

"The key to shooting better scores in golf is the shots from 50 yards and in," Crusaders coach Dan Campbell said after Helias opened the season Wednesday with a dual against Camdenton at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club. "We have to be more consistent in that area.

"Watching us today, we had a lot of double-chips, some three-putts, we were missing short putts. But those are things we can work on to fix, it will just take a little time."

Campbell is in his first year as head coach of the Crusaders.

"I've got a couple of boys on the team and when they asked me to be the coach, I thought since I would be out watching them a lot of the time anyway I would do it," he said. "I love the game and I like being out there with those kids."

The Crusaders are led by three seniors - Andrew Schaumburg, Clay Carroll and Carson Mueller.

"They were good in helping with the tryouts and they've been great leaders in practice," Campbell said. "We have several younger kids and they've taken them under their wing and guided them. I couldn't be happier with them, they've done a good job of mentoring the other players."

Helias dropped its opener 320-353 to Camdenton. Schaumburg led with an 84, while Carroll had an 87 and Mueller totaled an 89. Matt Branch had a 93, while Clinton Campbell shot a 94.

"We don't really have what you would call a No. 1 player right now," Dan Campbell said. "Hopefully when it gets a little warmer and we get a little more experience, some people will start to fight for that role. But everybody has been giving it a great effort so far."

Helias won the junior varsity match against Camdenton 362-364. Curtis Campbell paced Helias with an 85.

"We've got some kids on the JV who will put pressure on the varsity guys," Dan Campbell said. "It's going to be a great competition for spots all season."

The Crusaders will play in several tournaments this year - the Union Invitational, the Sedalia Smith-Cotton Invitational, the Laker Invitational in Camdenton and the Capital City Invitational - as well as hosting the Helias Invitational.

Helias is back in action Monday in the Moberly Quad against Boonville, South Shelby and the host school.

The Crusaders finished seventh as team last year in their Class 3 district tournament. Mueller is the lone returner that played in the district event.