GOLF PREVIEWS

COLUMBINE REBELS

Head coach: Tim Capra

Classification: 5A Jeffco

Region: Metro West

Players to watch: Michael Tait, sophomore; Billy Ramsey, senior; Logan Smith, senior; Greg Shelton, junior

Season opener: Aug. 13, Greeley West Invitational

State finals: Oct. 1-2, Rolling Hills Country Club, Golden

Outlook: The Rebels bring back a pair of 5A state qualifiers in Ramsey and Shelton. Tait, Columbine's No. 1 golfer, shot his worst round of the year at regionals last season and just missed the cut. That said, the Rebels are among the favorites in the 5A Jeffco League in 2012. “It looks like it will between us and Ralston Valley for the league title,” Capra said. “We've got a shot to win league this year.”

— Michael Hicks

CHATFIELD CHARGERS

Head coach: Steve Schimpeler

Classification: 5A Jeffco

Region: Metro West

Players to watch: Riley Eichler, senior; Michael Palmer, senior; Alan Berry, sophomore

Season opener: Aug. 15, Hyland Hills Golf Course, Westminster

State finals: Oct. 1-2, Rolling Hills Country Club, Golden

Outlook: “I don't really know. I know Ralston Valley is going to be strong. Columbine's got some good young golfers. I just hope to be competitive. We've got some good young golfers, but don't know how much progress they've made. We'll see where we're at,” Schimpeler said.

— Michael Hicks

DAKOTA RIDGE EAGLES

Head coach: Scott Burroughs

Classification: 5A Jeffco

Region: Metro West

Players to watch: Sean Rosen, Paul Fox, Danny Patterson, Hunter Ward

Season opener: Aug. 15, Hyland Hills Golf Course, Westminster

State finals: Oct. 1-2, Rolling Hills Country Club, Golden

Outlook: “I believe we are going to surprise our competitors this season,” Burroughs said. That said, the Dakota Ridge coach anticipates Ralston Valley's Ethan Yamada and Jack Pedersen, along with Columbine's Michael Tait and Billy Ramsey to challenge for low league average honors and to carry their teams to the top of the 5A Jeffco League.

— Michael Hicks

FRONT RANGE CHRISTIAN FALCONS

Head coach: Jeff Sloan

Classification: 3A Mile High

Region: Metro

Players to watch: Jared Sloan, senior; Brax Rhode, senior; Ben Anderson, junior

Season opener: Aug. 9, Denver Academy Invitational, Wellshire Golf Course, Denver

State finals: Oct. 1-2, Pinehurst Country Club, Denver

Outlook: Jared Sloan returns after reaching the 3A state tournament last year. Though coach Sloan expects Alexander Dawson and Denver Christian to be competitive, he has hopes that his team can finish in top half of the league. “I think the team will be in the top four of the league on a regular basis,” he said. “That's kind of what we did last year.”

— Michael Hicks

LITTLETON LIONS

Head coach: Kevin Burdick

Classification: 5A Continental

Region: Metro East

Players to watch: Joe Schroer, junior; Tim Bennett, junior; Chase Newman, junior; Tyler Habert, junior; Trevor Johnson, junior

Season opener: Aug. 9, South Suburban Golf Course, 11 a.m.

State finals: Oct. 1-2, Rolling Hills Country Club, Golden

Outlook: Burdick sees the 2012 team as being fairly young, including incoming freshman Scott Robb. But he's hopeful they'll surprise some folks. “If nothing else, we'll certainly being getting experience for our younger players and hopefully build on that.”

— Michael Hicks