DRIVING FAIRWAYS — Members of the Fairmont Cardinal varsity boys golf team opening the season against Truman/Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Martin Luther on Tuesday at Rose Lake Golf Course in Fairmont include, front row (l-r): Tyler Heckman, Beau Becker and Nate Rakness. Back row: Blake Hilgendorf, Mathew Cone, Brock Lutterman and Harmon Schrunk. (Photo by Greg Abel)

FAIRMONT — Fairmont Cardinal head boys golf coach Brad Haugen is counting on his veteran players to do most of the heavy lifting this season.

“We have a solid group of talented boys returning to the varsity lineup,” Haugen said. “The others are younger and they will learn a lot from the older kids. We’re anxious to get outside and see what the boys can do.”

Haugen enters his 16th year as the Cardinal head boys golf coach.

Last season, Fairmont placed fifth in the team portion of the Section 3AA Meet with 2022 graduate Alexander Moeller (78-79) and current senior Brock Lutterman (72-85) each carding rounds of 157 to lead the Cardinals with a 12th-place tie individually.

Lutterman also earned a spot on the all-Big South Conference list a year ago and was the medalist of the Big South Conference East Division Tournament by producing a round of 37-39–76. Lutterman made two birdies and 11 pars during his 18-hole round.

Hartley Aust and Mathew Cone also garnered all-BSC accolades. Aust shot 40-45–85 and Cone shot 42-46–88. Aust posted eight pars, while Cone had six pars during their round at the conference event.

The senior trio of Blake Hilgendorf, Lutterman (a Morningside University golf commit) and Aust will be counted on to lead the way this season, along with a varsity veteran in Cone, who’s a junior.

Lutterman was a 2021 Class AA individual state qualifier, but missed the cut last spring by one stroke.

Haugen has several newcomers — Tyler Heckman, Beau Becker, Harmon Schrunk and Nate Rakness — trying out for the team.

His 2022 graduates were Moeller, Jake Harris, Kyler Gronewald and Nico Flanagan.

Billy Brooks is the assistant coach.

The Fairmont boys will play their home matches at Interlaken Golf Club.

The Cardinals are scheduled to kick off their season Tuesday against Truman/ Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Martin Luther at Rose Lake Golf Course — weather permitting. According to Haugen, the dual meet might be pushed back to April 14.

Fairmont plays its section finals on Wednesday, May 31, at Oakdale Golf Club. The team has to finish in the top five on the first day of the sectional to advance to Day 2 and then they have to win the section to advance to state.

“We’re excited to see how this season plays out,” Haugen said. “Luverne might surprise this season. They look to be an up-and-coming team, but we should be competitive.”

The Class AA state tournament is June 13-14 at Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan.