Golf season has started off strong, with FVHS currently ranked forth out of eight teams in the conference this season.
The team consists of mostly returning members except three new freshmen that joined this year. There are also three sophomores, two juniors and one senior on the team. Four of the players also play for Bentwinds Country Club. They practice or play multiple times a week which benefits them when it comes to the matches and conferences.
Sophomore Nathan Owens has been playing with the team since his freshman year.
“The thing I enjoy most about the sport is getting to grow as a team and better each other every day,” said Owens.
Golf is considered a precision sport because it requires a high degree of accuracy and control to achieve the desired results.
“The most challenging aspect of golf is the mental game because one bad shot can ignite a fire for a bad day, so you have to stay positive when things don’t go your way,” said Owens.
Golf is often called a “mental game” because it requires patience, focus, and strategy, as well as physical skill.
Brian Harpster has been coaching golf for 11 years, ever since he started teaching.
Harpster said, “I always wanted to get into coaching, and it was one of the reasons that made me want to get into education as well.”
Golf isn’t just about hitting the ball, it’s about working together as a team and supporting each other. For the high school team, every practice and match is an opportunity to improve and help one another get better.
Harpster said, “All members of the golf team are returning this year. Last season, we finished sixth out of eight teams in the conference due to being a young team. However, several of our returning players have made significant improvements, and we’re already seeing the benefits of that progress.”
The team has progressed visibly from last year. They have improved the team score by 18 strokes over last year.
They had a match on Friday, March 21, at noon at Keith Hills Golf Club. They finished 19th out of 20. The team’s next match will be on March 24, at 3:00 p.m. at Pine Hollow.
