While Aberdeen Christian is not strong in overall numbers, the Knights have a pair of quality boys’ golfers this spring.

Senior Ellis Russell and junior Jett Johnson are the lone two varsity members and each is capable of solid rounds of golf.

“I guess I don’t have any pre-set expectations for the boys,” said Christian coach Tyler Pridey. “I just kind of let them go out there and do their thing, and they do what they’re capable of.”

Both players were members of Aberdeen Christian’s state tournament basketball team this past season and are used to competing on the big stage. Russell missed qualifying for the state golf tourney last year by two strokes.

“He’s familiar with the routine and the process for sure. … I think the pressure of playing basketball in the state tournament is going to prepare him well for the pressure of playing Class B golf coming here in conference,” Pridey said. “I think he’s going to be just fine.”

Johnson has also shown major progress out of the course the past few seasons.

“Jett has really come a long way in terms of his development,” Pridey said. “His swing to me is actually quite natural. … He just has an innate ability to swing a golf club in a way that doesn’t require a ton of extra training.”

Both golfers have a chance to qualify for this year’s state tourney, according to Pridey.

“Jett and Ellis both have the capability of making the state tournament,” Pridey said. “It’s more so about the motivation of wanting to do that.”

Pridey said a big key in golf is handling the mental component of the game, especially when things don’t go well out on the course.

“It really just takes a lot of experience going through the ups and downs of bad golf, and some good golf and a lot of bad golf,” Pridey said. “That’s really where you decide are you going to be able to handle the situations and how are you going to respond? Are you going to practice and get better or are you just going to give up?”

Pridey said a major factor in golf is not trying to do too much and taking a more conservative approach.

“Taking aggressive shots requires a lot of skill to pull those off,” Pridey said.

The Knights will compete in their first official tourney of the season during the Lake Region Conference Tournament on Thursday at Rolling Hills Golf Course.

“We had two meets cancelled already due to weather. … April golf is so hit and miss,” Pridey said.