When a coach builds a program meant to compete for a long time, a goal structure is established, and from that point on, the aim never really changes as the years go by.

For Warrenton boys' golf coach Aaron Jinkerson, the program has reached the point where he’d like to see his golfers hit certain marks, such as competing for a conference title and seeing his players find continual improvement.

“Ideally, the GAC North Conference title is a yearly goal,” Jinkerson said. “Making sure we are winning or being competitive in all of our conference matches this season, heading into the conference tournament with a chance to bring home a conference title (are also goals).”

To lead that charge, Jinkerson will look to a pair of Gavins – juniors Gavin Thompson and Gavin Solari – to help lead the way.

Thompson was not only second-team all-conference, but he also nearly made the state cut as a sophomore, as he, along with current sophomore Luke Bohm, missed the state cut by two strokes.

“My goals for myself this season are to make first team all-conference as well as make it to state,” Thompson said.

Jinkerson added that senior Eli Peth will also be a golfer from whom he expects much this season.

The coach said that, for as fun as it was to watch his top four grow last season, he’s hoping for quite the encore in 2026.

“Just being able to see the Gavins, Luke, and Eli compete each chance they were given was a huge highlight for me,” Jinkerson said. “They are looking forward to accomplishing more on the course this year due to the experience gained last year.”

While conference standing, postseason honors and, eventually, state berths are what everyone within the program wants to see, Jinkerson said that, for starters, he aims to take a much simpler approach to his hopes for the squad.

“Each year, I tend to have similar goals for the returning golfers to the team,” Jinkerson said. “Seeing improvement in the golfers who competed on the varsity level last year is always a goal of mine. Also, this season we are going to depend on a few golfers to step up to the varsity level, and I am looking forward to seeing how they can contribute to the team.”

Things aren’t going to be very easy for the Warriors as the team opens the season at 3:30 p.m. on March 26 against GAC North Conference juggernaut St. Charles West.

Solari said he wants to approach the season so it builds to a crescendo.

That crescendo, in his eyes would entail that GAC North title and a multitude of state golf berths.

“I'm just expecting to lower my season average and help benefit our team,” Solari said. “I'm hoping for our team to win conference this year because I know we have the group we need to do it.”