Golf season has officially begun at Manhattan High.

Last Thursday, the varsity squad took third at Shawnee Heights, while the J.V. team opened its 2015 campaign Tuesday against Clay Center, a home meet. The meet was geared toward getting the team ready for the season, as opposed to competitive play, as J.V. coach Craig Ackerman explained.

“This was a very casual tournament,” Ackerman said. “There was no trophies or medals. It was, literally, our two girls against four of theirs. At the end of it, everybody figured out their own scores, but we didn’t compare team scores or anything.”

Though the teams didn’t play to beat the other, Ackerman felt confident with what he got out of his group.

“I was pretty happy with how they played,” Ackerman said. “The pace was pretty good. Their shot selection was pretty good. I think they would agree we found some things we can work on, which is why you compete in the first place — to see where you can improve, and see what you’re good at and what you need to work on. I think we got some good ideas on both of those things.”

With the first meet under its belt, Ackerman said he hopes to see more consistent results from his team ahead of its meet on Tuesday.

“Anybody can hit one good shot, but it’s a matter of hitting that good shot every time, or as many times as you can,” Ackerman said. “Putting well; things like that. And that’s going to be the overall theme all year long: improve consistency.”

After taking third in Topeka on Thursday, the varsity squad returns to the course next Tuesday, Sept. 8 in Salina.

The J.V. squad is slated to travel to Concordia for the Concordia Invitational this Tuesday, Sept. 1.