Most Augusts when the high school golf season is getting underway, heat and humidity are the big weather concerns. There’s usually even a match or two that get cut short or postponed due to the heat index.

For Lakeland’s first day of golf practice earlier this week, rain, not 100-degree temperatures, was the problem.

Instead of allowing it to remain a problem, though, the new Cavalier team made the day productive out on the course anyway, much to the delight of head coach Brandon Frye.

“Since it was raining, and raining pretty hard, I made it optional for the guys to stay. I said, ‘I’ll stay as long as anyone wants to wait around or as anyone wants to practice,’” Frye said.

His players, even before the rain let up, went on the driving range at Sleepy Hole Golf Course. The weather cleared after about a half-hour and Frye and the Cavaliers spent about two more hours practicing.

Later in the week, the only week of practice Southeastern District golf teams get before going right into district play starting Monday, Frye was impressed with another good day of practice by his players.

“We played 18 holes, and walked, yesterday. The first time we did that last year, not everyone finished. It was no problem at all yesterday,” Frye said. “All of the guys are more prepared this season. They know what playing this game takes, and that goes for being prepared physically and prepared mentally.”

Frye’s in his second season coaching the Cavaliers. He played high school golf for four years at Churchland.

Last August, Frye’s main goal was to bring new players, mostly new to the sport, let alone competitive golf, along and make the game fun. This season, there is already a little more competition in mind.

Ryan Sigler and Stephen Blanchard return as Lakeland’s top two golfers.

On Thursday, Lakeland played a round at Nansemond River Golf Club that was part practice and part scouting. For the physical preparation Frye spoke about, it was another hot day and Nansemond River is a very long course to walk around.

“We’re trying to practice at different courses we’ll be playing, to get a feel for them. We have three matches here,” said freshman and team rookie Evan Norris.

The first of the three matches at Nansemond River is Lakeland’s first match, on Monday against city rival King’s Fork.