By Matt Browning

Salina Sacred Heart’s Hunter and Luke Newell both finished in the top 12 of the rain-shortened Class 2A golf tournament last year, which propelled the Knights to the team title.

The Newells are back this year, with big plans on their minds.

“The thing I am looking forward to this golf season is playing and competing against the better teams in the state,” Hunter said. “I believe that we have the ability to be one of the better teams in the state so it will be fun being able to compete in tournaments with 5A and 6A schools and showing them how good we are.”

Luke said his main focus to get that team title again for Sacred Heart.

“What I am most looking forward to with the season is just being able to play the best golf I can and hopefully help my team to another state championship,” Luke said.

Both Hunter and Luke focused on specific areas of their games throughout the offseason.

“The area I have been working on to improve has definitely been my mental game,” Hunter said. “I believe the game of golf is 90 percent mental so if I can dial that in during the season, my physical game will be alright. I have been working on managing my anger on the golf course and focusing on the little things that I don’t take into account on every shot like wind, temperature, and the lie the ball is on.”

Luke’s focus was more physical than mental.

“One thing I personally want to improve this offseason is driving the ball better off the tee,” Luke said. “And by practicing out on the course and on the driving range this will help me improve my driving skills.”