With boys varsity capturing a State title last spring, expectations are high for the golf team this year.

Head Coach Rick Hardison has high expectations as well and looks forward to watching how well they handle the pressure they will receive to repeat last season’s success.

“We have many goals for the fall and spring seasons–to improve every day, to compete and win every tournament, to win District, Regionals and to repeat as State champions,” Hardison said.

Hardison, along with Coach Ryan Salinas, Hardison’s assistant coach, both mentioned the difficulties that playing golf at a high level entails.

“You have to learn to lean on your teammates,” Hardison said. “In golf, you don’t always have your ‘A’ game. But you should never give up because sometimes it comes down to the fifth player to decide a team victory.”

Salinas reaffirmed Hardison’s opinion and belief about how important it is to stay grounded and positive even when you’re not playing your best.

“Golf is one of the hardest sports to play well for a whole round, let alone a whole tournament,” Salinas said. “It takes a lot of character and mental toughness to play golf well, especially when you have to handle situation where you are dealing with a lot of pressure.”

While the athletes could look at the success past teams have had as a reason to be nervous and tentative, Hardison believes that it is having a different effect on his team.

“We have returning members from our State championship team from last year,” Hardison said.

Having experience will be of utmost importance with repeating as State champions being one of the team’s goals according to Hardison.

“They share their experiences of what it takes to be a State champion,” Hardison said. “We have learned that it takes a specific plan to attack and play a golf course, and we must stick to that plan. If we do so, we will have a strong chance at being successful.”

Parker Coody, one of the members of the varsity team that won State last spring, is excited for the opportunity to retain their title.

“Winning a State title last year was the highlight of our season last year,” Coody said. “Now that we have the opportunity to repeat as champions we have to make sure that we stay focused as everyone else wants to be in the position that we’re in right now.”

Junior Reid Robertson, also expressed his sentiments. He, like the coaches, has high expectations for the season.

“Every day when we go out and practice we just try to improve and give ourselves an opportunity to achieve our goals,” Robertson said. “Even when something doesn’t go our way, we always feel like we’re still in control and we just go out there and give it our best shot.”

With golf consisting of both a fall and spring season the importance and necessity of both season’s can’t be understated according to both coaches.

“Without having a fall season we would not be able to have success in the spring when things really count,” Salinas said. “With Districts, Regionals, and State all in the spring we have to have enough competition to be able to play at our best when we really need to.”

Hardison agrees with Salinas and gave his own take on the matter.

“I enjoy both seasons,” Hardison said. “I enjoy the fall because it gives me the chance to get to know the new members of the team, the strengths and weaknesses of their game, and what motivates them.  I enjoy the spring because that’s when things get serious and we get a chance to go to the playoffs.”