Photo courtesy of Mark Wilmes/Tyler Tribute Pictured above is the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton boys and girls golf team. From (L to R): Garret Brandt, Isaac Norgaard, Camden Hansen, Chase Christensen, Shae O’Leary, Shelby Korman and Zoey Williams.

TYLER – The Russell-Tyler-Ruthton golf team enters the 2021 season with a young varsity lineup. The five-player boys team consists of two juniors, two sophomores and one freshman. The RTR varsity girls roster includes three freshmen and one seventh grader.

RTR coach Steve Borchert believes sophomore Chase Christensen will lead the group, noting that he has “improved his game greatly.”

New to the sport in 2021 is junior Dalton Muecke.

“(He is) a first time golfer who is showing great promise, getting a 46 in his first varsity meet,” Borchert said.

The RTR coach added that sophomore Camden Hansen put in a lot of work during the offseason, while junior Garrett Brandt and freshman Isaac Norgaard will round out the varsity boys roster in 2021.

The RTR girls will be led by freshman Shae O’Leary.

“(She) has been the most consistent golfer, getting a second-place finish in the first meet,” Borchert said.

Borchert added that Zoey Williams and Shelby Korman have made good strides early in the season, while Teigyn O’Leary has been competitive to open her seventh-grade season.

Borchert likes the chemistry and work ethic he has seen from his roster early in the season.

“It’s been a very fun group to work with and they get along very well,” he said. “They listen and try to put instruction to good use.”

One area the 30-year coaching veteran would like to see his young group improve is the short game.

“Reducing three-putts has been the goal in working with the kids,” Borchert said. “Far too many shots are wasted around the greens and that has been a point of emphasis.”