WEBSTER CITY BOYS GOLF RETURNING LETTERWINNERS are (left to right): Dawson Bertran, Luke Firsching and Cael Nixon. (DFJ photo by Britt Kudla)

Eric Dawson is optimistic about the potential of his Webster City boys golf team this year, thanks to the return of many key components and a roster full of eager participants.

Senior Cael Nixon returns as the top player for the Lynx, who open their season on Friday with a home triangular at Briggs Woods Golf Course. Nixon was a Class 3A sectional runner-up in 2024, and placed third at the North Central Conference meet.

“Cael has been a standout on our team for years, so we have high expectations for him,” Dawson said. “He is our clear leader.”

Senior Luke Firsching and junior Dawson Bertran are also back as upperclassmen with ample varsity holes under their belts.

“Luke has plenty of experience, and we’ll be counting on him for his leadership and consistency,” Dawson said. “Dawson cracked the lineup last year, and we expect him to take a big step forward. He’s been working hard on his game and has played a lot of (offseason) golf (in preparation).”

Dawson expects the competition for the final three varsity positions — as well as the entire junior varsity scorecard — to be intense. Thirty athletes are on the roster for Dawson and assistant coach Ben Rasmussen.

“We have several kids who have played a lot and will be fighting for those last three spots,” Dawson said. “I count six, seven or even eight kids capable of being at the varsity level.

“Upperclassman leadership will be our strength (with 17 juniors and seniors out). We need our older kids to show up and be consistent every day.”

The younger Lynx are still getting accustomed to competitive high school golf.

“We have a lot of younger players who are learning the game,” Dawson said. “Hopefully, we as coaches can spark interest in these kids, and they continue to work on their games to improve.”

Webster City placed third at the NCC meet a year ago, and advanced out of sectionals by taking third there as well. They are replacing the graduated Braden Doering, Braylon Plain and Trevyn Lyons.

“We always want to win conference,” Dawson said. “If we can find a couple of younger guys who can be consistent, we might have a shot (to compete for the NCC tournament title May 12 in Boone).”

The Lynx host their own invitational at Briggs Woods on May 8.

2025 WEBSTER CITY BOYS GOLF

Roster

Seniors — Cael Nixon, Luke Firsching, Cole Miller, Brady Asklund, Max McGilligan, Gabe Ruby, Colton Schroeder.

Juniors — Dawson Bertran, Nate Beaulieu, Braylon Dyvig, Joel Kasch, Gavin Malloy, Carter Mickelson, Matthew Tesdahl, Logan Willson, Brogan Bauer, Jaden Houk.

Sophomores — Grant Arends, Eian Becker, Coyce Bertran, Owen Gallentine, Dylan Schroeder.

Freshmen — Marvyk Ahrens, Owen Anderson, Brody Bauer, Tariq Burton, Karsen Nicholson, Kain Peterson, Will Ruby, Isaac Stines.

Schedule

April 11 — Carroll Kuemper, Panorama; 17 — at Woodward-Granger Invitational; 18 — at Panorama Invitational; 21 — at Spencer Invitational; 22 — at Clear Lake; 25 — at Clarion-Goldfield/Dows.

May 1 — at St. Edmond; 6 — Algona and Iowa Falls-Alden; 8 — Webster City Invitational; 9 — at Clear Lake; 10 — at Carroll Invitational; 12 — North Central Conference meet in Boone; 14 — sectional meet; 19 — district meet; 27-28 — state meet.