Fall '19 Preview: Mustangs now on the tee

(First in a series of fall previews for 2019).

Ask a funny question about golf and don’t be surprised when you get a funny answer.

Here’s Mullen boys golf head coach Jerry Koehler on his team’s chances at contending for a Colorado championship: “If things go as they should, I would say absolutely … but it is golf.”

The four-letter word and all that comes with it for the Mustangs, who were fifth in Class 4A in 2018 at the Club at Flying Horse in Colorado Springs without a senior, begins a new season with possibilities. Koehler said he doesn’t “expect any big leaps” as the team fared well a year ago and everyone of consequence is back, so the chance to contend remains real.

Plus, this year’s Mustangs are “hitting the ball a little further. Physically, they’ve grown.”

Returning juniors probably comprise the strength of the group – Mario Dino, tied for seventh in 4A; Rhett Johnson, tied for 27^th; and Thomas Hicks, 42^nd. The seniors are Eli Marquez and Cole Reister, 45^th at state,

Second to Arapahoe in 2018 in the 5A-based Centennial League, Koehler called the loop “very competitive and cited the Warriors, Cherry Creek, Grandview and Cherokee Trail as legitimate contenders.

Also runner-up in regionals a year ago, Mullen will be pointing to the state championship Oct. 7-8 at Bridges Golf Club in Montrose, home of the defending state champion Indians. Regionals are to be completed by Sept. 27.

Montrose, Steamboat Springs, newer Northfield and Ponderosa each figure to be in the 4A mix.

The will be 17 Mustangs in the proigam, an increase of one from a year ago.