TAFT, CA – Taft College Men's Golf enters the 2025 season with many new faces. In August of 2024, the Cougars announced the hiring of past local resident Dan Walters. Coach Walters attended Taft Union High School before enrolling at San Diego State University. After graduating from San Deigo State, he started teaching and coaching in Bakersfield. His first job was at North High School where he coached football, basketball, baseball and boy's golf. He had been involved with the golf team for ten years before working at Highland High School in east Bakersfield. Walters is currently teaching at Bakersfield High School and has assisted with the Cougars Women's Basketball team for the past two seasons.
Another new face is Assistant Coach Matt Olejnik. Olejnik comes to Southwest Kern County after an extensive teaching career in Holister and Bakersfield. While teaching high school, Olejnik coached wrestling and girl's golf at various high schools. He has had children attend Taft College and participated in the Women's Volleyball program for legendary coach and current athletic director Kanoe Bandy.
Five new players arrive in Cougar Country after high school careers in the Kern County area.
Kasen Clark is coming from Taft Union High School where he will be joined by fellow Wildcat Ryker Scherer. Coming from Bakersfield after attending Centennial High School is Mason Friesen. Brady Shipley and Kohlson Schooley are recent graduates from Shafter High School.
The lone returner from the 2024 squad is Holden "Farmer" Moreno. Moreno is a graduate of Wasco High School.
The 2025 version of the Cougars Men's golf team is young but talented. The schedule is set to play some very tough courses throughout the year and will be a true test as to the preparedness of the team that has been practicing since August. The outlook for the year and next is looking very positive for the spring version of Cougar golf.
Cougars Men's Golf start the season in Lompoc in the Pt. Conception Invitational held at the La Purisima Golf Course on Sunday and Monday, January 26-27.