Coaches: Sean Duttry (boys), 11th season; Mandy Wood (girls), third season.

Key returners: Tyler Carpenter, sr.; Kayla Cole, jr.; Michael Lacey, jr.; Melissa Pratt, soph.; Alicia Vertefeuille, sr.; Andrea Wessel, jr.; Lindsey Wood, sr.

Key departures: Marcus Lacey, graduated; Timmy Myers, graduated; Betsy Pratt, graduated; Jeff Proctor, graduated; Hayden Ritter, graduated.

Two different coaches can provide succinct descriptions of their rosters: young.

“We’re mostly sophomores and freshmen,” South Kitsap boys golf coach Sean Duttry said. “We’re a couple of years out before we’re back to the traditional winning ways.”

The Wolves finished 7-3 in Narrows League play last season, but graduated four of their top six players, including No. 1 Marcus Lacey. It was the second consecutive year they lost their top player after Joel Schenfeld departed in 2007.

Early in the season, Lacey’s younger brother, Michael, has claimed the top spot. It’s the junior’s third year playing varsity, and he thinks he’s ready for the challenge after playing against his brother.

“We would always go out on the course when no one else would and just practice,” Lacey said. “It helped my game a lot.”

He hardly has a stronghold on the top spot, though. Duttry expects senior Tyler Carpenter to battle for the top position throughout the season.

“I need to get a couple of rounds under my belt and I’m sure I’ll be OK,” Carpenter said. “I think I just need to get my touch back — the little things like the chip in and the short putt. The feel of the game.”

Both Carpenter and Lacey have state experience, but Duttry said the final four varsity positions are “wide open.” One newcomer who has impressed him early is freshman Owen Matheson.

“I imagine down the road he’ll be pretty steady,” he said. “He’s pretty excited about golf.”

Girls coach Mandy Wood has a little more experience returning to the Wolves’ girls team, but she also saw her No. 1, Betsy Pratt, graduate.

Seniors Alicia Vertefeuille and Lindsey Wood occupy the top two spots. Juniors Kayla Cole and Andrea Wessel and sophomore Melissa Pratt also have varsity experience.

“We’ve got a pretty green team, but everyone is learning and they’re doing really well,” Lindsey Wood said. “And our returners have improved a lot.”

Vertefeuille is focusing on her short game right now. She also tries to work with the younger players and has a simple message for them.

“I mostly want them to enjoy the game,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun out there.”

The coach likes what she has seen from her players so far.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a harder working group,” Wood said. “They’re anxious to get out to the course and have the best attitudes of a group I’ve coached.”