The Manitou Springs boys golf team will have a fresh look in 2022. After reaching the Class 3A state tournament for the past three years, Davis Mack is gone and a new crop of players will have the task of representing Manitou in the season’s biggest tournaments.
The good news is that not every face is unfamiliar. Junior Jack Clifford was on the team that went to regionals at Murphy Creek. He finished tied for 38th, which kept him outside of the state tournament field. But with a full summer of play under his belt, he feels that his game is in good enough shape that qualifying is a distinct possibility.
“It was nice to have the summer (to work on my game),” Clifford said. “I’ve been out every day and noticed tons of improvement. My entire game has improved.”
With a much younger crew, coach Ken Vecchio once again has the task of helping the players prepare to compete at the varsity level. At Manitou, golf tends to be a sport that student-athletes try for the first time, so those with less experience face a learning curve that comes with grasping the everyday rules.
“It’s getting the reps in and learning the basics of the game and being able to take it out on the course,” Vecchio said.
Aside from Clifford’s experience, Vecchio is excited to see what senior Kai Thomas brings to the team. He is the younger brother of former boys basketball standout Isaiah Thomas; both have taken up golf over the past couple of years.
Although Vecchio admits that Thomas is a bit raw, he also touts the potential in his game. When he’s squaring up the clubface to the ball and hitting everything on line, Thomas could make a world of difference for the team.
“Isaiah got him into (golf) over the summer and he’s really not bad,” Vecchio said. “He hits it pretty well on the range.”
The challenge will be getting him to translate those range sessions to scoring well on the course, which any golfer will attest is a tougher battle than it should be.
Manitou Springs Boys Golf:
Head coach: Ken Vecchio
2021 result: David Mack finished in Top 55 at state
Key returner: Jack Clifford
First competition: Aug. 22 at Sand Creek Invite