Franklin Pierce High School Golf

Head Coach Steve Andersen

E-mail: stevea@fp.k12.wa.us or Sandersen1@msn.com
Phone: (253) 537-0211 ext. 6689

Steve Andersen has been coaching golf at FP since 1986. After retiring from coaching FP football for 12 years, coach Andersen wanted to try something new and coach a sport that didn't demand as much summer time so he could be with his family. The program has grown from 10 golfers to over 30 this year. The addition of a formal girls team in 1995, certainly increased interest.
Team accomplishments have been several in the past few years. The FP girls team was Pierce County League champions in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000 and Seamount champs in 2001 & 2002. They finished second in 1999. They finshed third in State in 2001 with Eldri Wicklander finishing 4th individually and Kristin Ballman finishing 11th. Jamie Triplett finished in the top 30 in State each of the past two years. The boys team won the Pierce County League championship in 1999 for FP's first boys league championship in golf. They had finished second in 1998. In 2001 the boys finished 7th in State with Brett Ballman finishing 6th individually and Josh Deck finishing 23rd.
Coach Andersen has also served as athletic director, soccer coach, wrestling & football coach. He retired but has decided to return to the classroom in 2004 on an every other day schedule. He and his wife Diane have 2 children, Scott and Lindsey. Andersen came to FP in 1972 to teach yearbook, graphic arts and photography. He also advises the Ski Club.

Assistant Coach Jeff Melvard-

Coach Melvard starts his second season as FP's assistant coach. Melvard teaches math at Franklin Pierce. Coach Melvard is a former Cardinal golfer with a succesful four years playing for FP. Coach Melvard got married this summer and his wife is a new teacher at Ford Middle School. He graduated from Western Washington University.

Volunteer Coach Scott Andersen-

The son of coach Andersen, Scott returned home from California and will help with the team. Scott played golf and soccer for Bethel HS and played soccer at California Lutheran University where he graduated with a degree in Communications.

2005 Outlook-

The boys team is coming off a winning season and a very successful League tournament. 5 of the team's 6 players qualified for Districts and Austin Jurgens qualified for State, the fiirst FP boy to do so in 4 years. Several returnees including Austin Jurgens, Jim Ohlinger, Jake Shineflew, Eric Wiggins and Russell Foran as well as sophomores Paul Reed, Derek Kaaiwela and Adam Fujiura.

The girls team will certainly have their work cut out for them with the loss of stars Jaime Triplett and Ashley Barrett. State alternate Sarah Miller will lead a team with help from Ashley Pfeiffer, Stacy Donahue and Grace Munson.