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Tyler Sugg was one of Fallon's top golfers in 2009
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Returning the majority of last year's boys' golf team, the Greenwave made the job easier for its new coach.
“The biggest challenge for me as a first-year coach is getting to know the swings, tendencies and the approach the boys take toward the game of golf,” said Fred Buckmaster, who replaced Steve Hutchens after two seasons. “I knew all of the golfers, some better than others, but I had to get to know them as golfers.”
Buckmaster inherited a team on the verge of turning in a strong season. Featuring three seniors with strong leadership experience and countless practice hours during the offseason, Fallon bounced back in the new Sierra League to finish second and qualify the whole team for the regional tournament.
Although the Greenwave team fell short of placing in the top two for state, two golfers, Shane Smith and Matt Vanderbeek, advanced to cap off a season that featured two tournament victories.
“We shot right at 400 combined score and anytime you are around that, you are in the hunt,” Buckmaster said of their wins at home and Genoa Lakes. “Getting the two boys qualified for the state tournament was also a very big part of our season as well.”
The expectations for Greenwave golf didn't change under Buckmaster, who helps coach football and served time on the baseball field.
“My expectations as a coach are always high and for everyone to compete at the highest level,” Buckmaster said.
“They did better than the competition expected a Fallon team to do. We showed up to play every time.”
Although Buckmaster loses seniors Smith, Tyler Sugg and Cole Dillon — the final members left of the state championship team from 2006 — he said the underclassmen will have an opportunity to step in to fill the void.
“They will leave a void that will be difficult to fill,” Buckmaster said. “Each graduating player had their own skills on the course. I wish I had been more involved with them for a longer period of time. Each is a tremendous individual and will succeed at the next level, whatever they choose it to be.”
More than 20 boys were out for the season, but the majority didn't compete often because of minimal junior varsity tournaments. The key will be competiting in junior golf during the offseason.
“I look forward to all the returning underclassmen,” Buckmaster said. “Fallon has a tremendous reputation for supporting youth sports, especially youth golf. A kid can really learn to play golf in Fallon. The course supports them, the older golfers support them and the entire community does as well, it is a recipe for success. There are a lot of freshmen and sophomores returning that will positively impact our team next year.”
Buckmaster added that the Golf Course at Fallon and Fallon Men's Golf Association continue to be an element toward the high school program's success.
“The biggest challenge for me as a first-year coach is getting to know the swings, tendencies and the approach the boys take toward the game of golf,” said Fred Buckmaster, who replaced Steve Hutchens after two seasons. “I knew all of the golfers, some better than others, but I had to get to know them as golfers.”
Buckmaster inherited a team on the verge of turning in a strong season. Featuring three seniors with strong leadership experience and countless practice hours during the offseason, Fallon bounced back in the new Sierra League to finish second and qualify the whole team for the regional tournament.
Although the Greenwave team fell short of placing in the top two for state, two golfers, Shane Smith and Matt Vanderbeek, advanced to cap off a season that featured two tournament victories.
“We shot right at 400 combined score and anytime you are around that, you are in the hunt,” Buckmaster said of their wins at home and Genoa Lakes. “Getting the two boys qualified for the state tournament was also a very big part of our season as well.”
The expectations for Greenwave golf didn't change under Buckmaster, who helps coach football and served time on the baseball field.
“My expectations as a coach are always high and for everyone to compete at the highest level,” Buckmaster said.
“They did better than the competition expected a Fallon team to do. We showed up to play every time.”
Although Buckmaster loses seniors Smith, Tyler Sugg and Cole Dillon — the final members left of the state championship team from 2006 — he said the underclassmen will have an opportunity to step in to fill the void.
“They will leave a void that will be difficult to fill,” Buckmaster said. “Each graduating player had their own skills on the course. I wish I had been more involved with them for a longer period of time. Each is a tremendous individual and will succeed at the next level, whatever they choose it to be.”
More than 20 boys were out for the season, but the majority didn't compete often because of minimal junior varsity tournaments. The key will be competiting in junior golf during the offseason.
“I look forward to all the returning underclassmen,” Buckmaster said. “Fallon has a tremendous reputation for supporting youth sports, especially youth golf. A kid can really learn to play golf in Fallon. The course supports them, the older golfers support them and the entire community does as well, it is a recipe for success. There are a lot of freshmen and sophomores returning that will positively impact our team next year.”
Buckmaster added that the Golf Course at Fallon and Fallon Men's Golf Association continue to be an element toward the high school program's success.
