Though the Oak Harbor High School boys golf team returns four players with extensive varsity experience, it is still young.

Not one of the lettermen is a senior as juniors Hunter Adams, Mac Kerfoot, Raiden Poe and Steven Timm return. The key newcomer, Mason Dieter, is also a junior.

“This group of varsity players has been playing together for two years now,” said coach David Smith. “They have built on their skills for the last two years and I expect them to fine tune their golf game this year. They have experience playing in tournaments and I think we have a chance to be very successful this year.”

Kerfoot is the top returnee; he qualified for the state tournament last spring and placed 46th.

Dieter, primarily a junior varsity golfer last season, played a few varsity matches.

“He worked on his golf game all summer and has really improved,” Smith said. “I expect him to make a great addition to the varsity this year.”

With the return of most of its lineup, Oak Harbor hopes to improve on last year’s seventh-place finish in the 10-team league tournament and its fifth-place finish at district.

“I expect to have a very successful season. I think this group of golfers has a chance to do very well in their tournaments,” Smith said. “It would be nice to bring two or three golfers to state this year.”

The Wildcats had a great first week of practice, according to Smith. Another positive, he said, was the addition on new JV coach Peter Esvelt.

Everett, as always, should be the team to beat in the Wesco North, Smith said.

Oak Harbor hosts Edmonds-Woodway, Lake Stevens and Monroe at 1 p.m. Monday, March 17, at the Whidbey Golf Club.