No Ifs, Ands, or Putts, This Golf Season Was a Good One

On May 15 and 16, the Fair Grove High School 2023 Golf Season came to an end at Rivercut Golf Course during the state tournament.

Prior to the Golf State Tournament was the Districts Tournament, on the eighth of May. In order to prepare for the Districts Tournament, Atticus Brandes (10) trained by putting in extra hours at the golf course on weekends, as well as working on all aspects of his game play throughout the season. His training paid off with his season ending at the state tournament on May 15.

As the season was nearing an end, the players began to recall some of their favorite memories and experiences throughout the past season. Both Charles Harp (11) and Brandes’ most prized memories from the season were from the conference tournament in Branson. 

Brandes’ favorite memory from the conference tournament was shooting a high score of 82 during the tournament. Following that, Harp’s favorite memory was, “During warmups I was practicing chipping onto the green and accidentally hit the ball a little too hard. Anyways the ball went perfectly and bounced off of the shaft of one of my teammates clubs, while he was holding onto it. No one was hurt so we just kind of laughed about it for a little bit.”

Multiple teammates discussed a common feeling of one senior in particular being exceptionally helpful throughout the season. Haydn Hall (12) has been a great leader and teammate throughout the season, staying after practice at the golf course some days to help out fellow teammates with their form and issues with their rhythm. Harp stated, “He is a great leader and it is a shame that he is graduating.”

Also as the season has come to a close, the players began to reflect on how they have grown not only as players, but also as people this past golf season. Brandes states, “I have grown mentally tougher as a person this season.” Harp also feels that he has grown mentally tougher, and has learned to keep his emotions in check as it helps tremendously in order to keep a clear head. 

Keeping a clear head throughout a golfing tournament and season can help the players to focus more on what they are doing, and focus their thoughts on the main goal of what they are doing at that moment in time on the golf course. Charles Harp states that he feels that is the most important skill to maintain on the course. 

Although the golf team is losing a valuable senior, they will have many members of the team returning next season to continue to work hard and grow the program.