West Fork boys golf opens season with new coach

Corey Smith takes over as head coach this season for the West Fork boys golf team.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:56pm

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action and multiple perspectives of a boys golf competition, with sharp planes of green, blue, and tan shapes overlapping to create an abstract, deconstructed visual.A cubist interpretation of the competitive energy and strategic movements of a high school boys golf match.Lake Mills Today

Corey Smith, a recent addition to the teaching staff at West Fork High School, has been named the new head coach of the boys golf team. Smith has been involved with the district for several years, including coaching the girls basketball team, and is excited to take over a program that has seen significant success in recent seasons, including a second-place finish at the state tournament just a couple of years ago.

Why it matters

The West Fork boys golf team has established itself as a consistent contender in the Top of Iowa Conference and at the state level. The transition to a new coach, even one familiar with the district, will be an important factor in determining whether the team can maintain its high level of performance this season.

The details

Smith, who recently made a career change from sales to teaching sixth grade at West Fork, has been involved with the district for about four or five years, including coaching the girls basketball program. He is excited to take over the boys golf team, which finished 12-2 in conference play and 36-8 overall last season. While Smith acknowledges it may be a 'tall task' to match the team's recent success, which included a second-place finish at the state tournament, he is confident the players have the talent to 'get pretty far' this season.

  • Smith recently transitioned into teaching at West Fork High School.
  • The West Fork boys golf team opens the season on April 6 at a Top of Iowa Conference triangular at Rice Lake Golf and Country Club in Lake Mills.

The players

Corey Smith

The new head coach of the West Fork boys golf team, who has been involved with the district for several years, including coaching the girls basketball program, and recently made a career change from sales to teaching sixth grade at West Fork High School.

West Fork boys golf team

The high school boys golf team that finished 12-2 in conference play and 36-8 overall last season, including a second-place finish at the state tournament.

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What they’re saying

“If we can carry over from what we've had the past couple of years, I know that might be a tall task. The success level has been incredibly high. It was just a couple of years ago we got second at state. I don't know if our ceiling is that high, but I don't want to hold these guys back. They're working hard and I think they've got the talent to get pretty far.”

— Corey Smith, Head Coach, West Fork Boys Golf

What’s next

The West Fork boys golf team will open the season on April 6 at a Top of Iowa Conference triangular at Rice Lake Golf and Country Club in Lake Mills.

The takeaway

The transition to a new coach, even one familiar with the district, will be an important factor in determining whether the West Fork boys golf team can maintain its recent success and high level of performance this season. Coach Corey Smith is confident in the team's talent, but acknowledges the challenge of matching the program's lofty achievements in recent years.