SEYMOUR, WI – The Seymour boys golf program has grown into one of the top teams in the Bay Conference, and head coach Katie Grassel says the success comes from years of building confidence, discipline and smart course management. Grassel, who has worked in the Seymour School District for 30 years, originally started the girls golf program before eventually taking over the boys team four years ago just one week before the season began.
Since then, the Thunder have steadily climbed the ranks, culminating in the program’s first-ever WIAA Boys Golf State Championship last season. Grassel said the journey to that title was built on lessons learned from earlier postseason appearances, including a valuable state tournament experience in 2024 at Blackwolf Run in Kohler.
“It was a very amazing experience to go through and see the boys develop their grit and perseverance on the golf course,” Grassel said.
Grassel said one of the team’s biggest areas of focus has been staying mentally strong and understanding the importance of every shot rather than worrying about scores or standings during a round. She emphasized course management, staying composed under pressure, and making smart decisions instead of always trying to overpower the course.
“We wanted to make sure we kept the same level of course management and grit under pressure,” Grassel said. “Whatever shot happened in the past, we can’t do anything about it. We just have to stand over the ball and make the right swing.”
The Thunder have been led by standout seniors Vince and Owen Sigl, two golfers Grassel praised for their maturity and approach to the game. Rather than relying solely on distance, Grassel said both players excel because they understand strategy and know how to position themselves for success.
“They both have great course management and determination on the golf course,” Grassel said. “We spend time talking about what club they’re going to hit, how they want to approach the green, and trying to stay away from trouble spots.”
Grassel also highlighted senior Tristan Drath, who recently shot a personal-best 69 at Lac La Belle while continuing to improve his consistency off the tee and around the greens.
As Seymour continues another strong season, Grassel says the mental side of golf remains one of the biggest keys for her players. She encourages them not to focus on leaderboards or chase scores during tournaments, but instead concentrate on each individual swing.
“I always tell the boys don’t set a score that they want to get and don’t go look at the leaderboard,” Grassel said. “All they should focus on is making their best swing for that shot.”
That mindset has helped turn Seymour into a consistent contender and a program now carrying championship expectations every time it steps onto the course.
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