Linn golf opened the season Thursday at Osage View, with several newcomers gaining their first match experience while competing on their home course. The Wildcats scored 222 points to finish behind South Callaway (214) and Fatima (213).

Viehland said Thursday’s match marked the first true competition for most of the roster.

“Colton Leivian and Jake Bish are my only two returning players, so this was everyone else’s first actual golf match, and they did great,” Viehland said. “We got a little lucky that it was at Osage View.”

Bish led Linn with a 19th-place finish (52), and Leivian was just four spots away, earning a tie for 23rd (55), followed by Bentley Hertzing (26th, 56), Ryatt Reynolds (27th, 57), and Jason Greer tied for 28th (59).

Viehland said the group showed promise but still has room to grow as the season progresses.

“Still tons of room for growth, but there is still a lot of learning to do both for them and myself as a coach,” Viehland said.

He noted that the early part of last week served as a valuable introduction for the team before competition began.

“Last Tuesday was pretty much a practice round against Calvary,” Viehland said. “They were missing most of their team, so we went to practice nine holes at Mokane.”