Warrenton golf Head Coach Aaron Jinkerson got a startling offer recently.

After the sudden departure of former coach Matt Griffin just before spring practice, Jinkerson was asked to run the Warrenton program.

“I was surprised,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to coach high school golf and I was given that opportunity. I’ve played golf since middle school and I played in high school, and I’ve just continued to play the game since then.”

Jinkerson leads a balanced varsity team this season, led by senior Dillon Keeven.

Keeven shot 8-over par at last year’s sectional tournament in Moberly to qualify for the Class 3 state tournament in Springfield.

After a tough final round at state, Keeven is hoping to get back this season.

“As he said recently, his goals are to crush it this year,” Jinkerson said. “We’ve been practicing and putting in the time to get back to state this year.”

Varsity returners Ryan Adams and Conrad Schaumberg have high expectations this spring as well, and a newcomer also has opened Jinkerson’s eyes.

“Our freshman, Travis Toebben, has really surprised me in his early career,” he said.

The Warriors won their first duel of the year last week against Fort Zumwalt East, outshooting the Lions, 172-175.

Keeven and Schaumberg led the way with 41 each.

“There is a lot of promise with this group,” Jinkerson said. “It’s a really strong group of seniors and they have some lofty goals. The junior class is really good, too. They have some really hard workers.”