Linfield’s men’s golf team continues to play consistently well throughout the first part of the season.
They’ve had two matches so far, placing fifth out of eight teams after the Pacific Invitational match on Sept. 21, and second out of five teams after the home Linfield Invitational on Sept. 30.
At the Pacific Invitational senior Taylor Klopp shot seven over par tieing for tenth while senior Logan Munson shot 10 over par and tied for thirteenth overall.
The freshman showed the upper classmen that they area force to be reckoned with. freshman Lucas Balala and Max Hansen both  shot 13 over par , tied for nineteenth overall.
At the Linfield Invitational Lucas Balala  shot one over par tieing for second while freshman Logan Davis shot four over par and tieing for fifth overall.
“I was happy with our ball striking, but our short games is an area where we need to improve on, especially our putting,” said Gregory Copeland, head coach for men’s golf, in an email.
With five new freshmen joining the team this year, Copeland is looking forward to their potential helping the team.
“I think once they get settled into the college routine and figure out what they need to do on the course and in the classroom that they will be a big part of the team’s success this year,” Copeland said. “They have the potential to really push the upperclassmen to continue to work hard at practice and to play well.
There are also four seniors on the team that Copeland believes will make major contributions on the success of the team’s season, including Taylor Klopp, Logan Munson, Kevin Kawasaki and Taylor Pirnke.
“I expect them to lead this team back to the conference championship,” Copeland said.
The seniors are also acting as leaders and role models for the underclassmen, and rather than being protective of their place on the team, are welcoming and encouraging the freshmen to succeed
“They understand for the team to reach its goal of returning to the national championship that being pushed by the underclassmen is important to keeping them working hard,” Copeland said.
The Linfield men’s golf team looks to continue their great ball striking and look to improve their short game for the Whitman Invitational  at Wine Valley on Oct. 5 and 6.