Dink! A Titleist number 1 flies through the air over the hill, as Elk Mound’s varsity golf player Dillon McLaughlin tees off at the Whitetail Golf Course driving range. He looks to help his team make a conference run, as their team has grown as a experienced team with some younger talent as well. Dillon is very excited about this upcoming season, and with that, his and his team's goals.
“I hope we as a team can do well, I hope we can beat Colfax, because they are our biggest rival. I also hope that we can improve from last year and do better.”
As last year as a team the Elk Mound golf team finished last in the conference, but as the 2017 season begins they are in high hopes of making a run for the title, and improving from last year's season. He also hopes to improve as well too.
“I liked to golf a score under 45 and work hard and try my best, not get mad, not give up even if I have a bad shot.”
As he tries to accomplish his goals, he has a daily practice routine that consists of practicing on the driving range for his long game, hitting his irons for his mid to short game, and his irons for his short game, and his chipping game.
“Usually we will go to the driving range or the putting range and hit for a while, as we progress later in the season we will actually golf some holes, and practice for the upcoming meets at our course, and try to work on everything combined and try to get better all around. I personally try to work on my short game range and chipping because that's my greatest weakness, but I still work to improve my driving which is my biggest strength when it comes to golf.”
This will be Dillon’s second year golfing on the Elk Mound Golf Team and the team's fourth year as a team and program. He has been enjoying golfing and practicing for many years, and he still looks forward to it every season.
“ I first started golfing around eight years ago when I was around seven years old, and I started playing because my grandma and my mom have been golfing for many years and I wanted to give it a try. I love going out to the courses and having a fun time golfing, and spending time with friends and family.”