Tigers’ boys’ golf hadn’t won a Big Nine championship in 16 years until a group of soft-spoken seniors led them to a co-conference title with Winona this season.

Today, the team tees off from Bellwood Oaks Golf Course in Hastings hoping to do one better: advance to the state tournament.

The dream began in 2005, when seniors Sam Matheson, Tyler Brackey, Casey Marka and Tyler Haaland began playing together in eighth grade. They all had different beginnings in golf but were coming together as a team for the first time.

Matheson and Haaland were first brought to the course for the by their fathers; Matheson to the Albert Lea Country Club and Haaland, the Wells Golf Course.

Brackey and Marka lived next to the Country Club and Green Lea, respectively, and both players found it easier to walk to the golf course than the playground.

“I began playing when I was 8 or 9 years old,” Brackey said. “I would walk to the course everyday.”

Now they will attempt to extend their high school careers on the same course in the Section 1AAA Tournament.

Despite their success this season, the players have shown modesty and are as quiet in the clubhouse as they are on the tee box.

“Their demeanors fit the game of golf well,” head coach Riley Worth said. “All four are focused individuals.”

They’ll need focus in order to out-shoot section favorite Lakeville North.

“It would be nice to be the leader in the clubhouse but if we can stay close to Lakeville North we should be fine.”

Knowing it’s win or go home, each golfer has their own approach to the biggest 18 holes they’ve ever played.

“I don’t really think about the pressure,” Haaland said. “I take every shot at a time and don’t let it get into my head.”

Brackey, on the other hand, makes an effort to keep the situation close to mind and thrives on pressure.

“I realize that it’s our last year and there’s no next year,” he said. “It’s now or never.”

The team shot a practice round at Bellwood Oaks Monday, a course the seniors are very familiar with.

“We play there every year,” Matheson said. “I’ve played there 10 times now. It was in good shape and the greens were rolling good so it should be in good conditions tomorrow.”

When it comes to advancing to the state tournament, the seniors know they can’t do it alone but are confident after freshman Nate Stadheim shot a low score during the practice round.

“It is key that our fifth or sixth spot player shoots a low score,” Marka said. “Stadheim was pretty promising.”

Matheson was slated to tee off first for the Tigers at 11:36 a.m., who if finish in the top eight of 12 teams will advance to day two action on June 3.