The NDA golf season has officially begun. After finishing one stroke back of the state champion the last two years, the team is hoping to get their WIAA Division 1 state title this season.

The team is led by Coach Brian Bobinski, math teacher at NDA.

Senior Robert Petitjean is ready to contribute all that he can to help win the team a state title. He is a four-year varsity golfer who had a 39.0 nine-hole average last season. He earned first-team all-Fox River Classic Conference honors.

In addition, he recently led the NDA football team to a Division 3 State Championship as quarterback. He is hoping to have as many memorable drives during his spring golf season as he did in his fall football season.

The golf team this year will be a strong competitor as they have four guys who have been to state, including Petitjean, Ethan Diestler, Ryan Konop and Patrick Darling.

However, according to Petitjean, it is all about staying in the moment and focusing about what is in the present. “You have to be thinking about the shot you’re hitting right now,” Petitjean said, “because obviously that one shot has prevented us from winning two state championships.”

Junior Patrick Darling said, “I am really looking forward to competing for another state championship this year. We have a lot of experience on our team that I think will serve us well going further into the season.”

Other golfers contending for a varsity spot are Nick Wagner, Matt Duffy, Jack Halama,Max Pallini, Michael Linehan, Nick Shade and Peter DeGroot.

Coach Bobinski said, “This team is very experienced.  They know the expectations and understand how the program works.  That makes my job easier.  The seniors also do a great job of helping our younger players understand what it takes to be successful.”

The team recently started off their season by finishing third overall out of 28 teams at the Washington County Invite on April 16. In addition, they took second at the Brown County Meet on April 13. Petitjean finished second individually in that meet.

Petijean said, “The biggest thing we need to do as a team is execute every day.” The team clearly has the talent, but they need to focus and play well.

Their goal as a team is to win conference and get to state. The team’s biggest goal is to come home with a trophy and a state title.