In the last 25 years of golf at AHS, never has the team sent more than one player to the regional tournament. This year, the team sent two, seniors Greg Nielsen and Eric Reynolds, to conclude what has been one of the Atoms’ most successful seasons in recent history.

“The team this year exceeded all expectations,” said Nielsen, whose strong performance on the first day of regionals put him in contention to move on to states. “Nobody thought we would be any good, but everyone improved and stepped up in big situations.”

After faltering on the second day of competition, Nielsen missed the cut for the state tournament by only half a dozen strokes. Reynolds, meanwhile, improved after his first 18 holes to finish in the middle of the pack.

The team’s regional showing, however, was not the only form of success it experienced this season. The Atoms finished with an overall record of eight wins and five losses, taking fourth place in a disappointing district performance.

Despite falling short in districts, head coach Richard McCormack remained confident that given a few more weeks, the team would have been extremely successful in district and regional play.

“Our starters were kicking into high gear just as the season ended,” said an optimistic McCormack. “It’s a short season, which is too bad because we would have had the best team in a decade had we just had a couple weeks more time.”

Many golfers on the team also felt good about their overall performance this season, citing McCormack as their reason for improvement.

“He got us on the course, he pushed us to get better and taught us the finer parts of the game,” said Nielsen of McCormack, who returned to the head coaching position this year for the first time since stepping down in 2004.

Behind McCormack, the team improved daily, and although they struggled early, the squad was able to overcome the usual pressure that comes with competition in golf. Refusing to succumb to predictions that the team would perform poorly with the loss of so many starters, many players stepped up in leading the team to a winning record.

A similar challenge will be faced next season, as five of the team’s six regular starters will be graduating this year. However, many team members are confident that if they put in the work, they will be rewarded with another successful season in 2011.

“Hopefully the team will perform just as well, if not better, than we did this year, but many of us will have to practice a lot before the season to accomplish our goal,” said junior Adam Huenemann, who competed in the second day of districts.

Nielsen took a similar viewpoint, stressing that, “they just need to practice, be confident, and have fun on the golf course to rip next year.”

Should they continue to practice hard through next September, the squad will be able to retain its form and continue the success it experienced this season.

“It is their decision,” said McCormack. “If they want to be great, then they know what it takes to be great.”