By Hannah Frazier

Although Tempe Prep’s 2020 high school golf season has been put on hold due to current events, the coaches remain positive. TPA’s team of 11 golfers is led by Jay Becher and Ralph Curtis “Curt” Hudek. Both coaches have been PGA golf professionals for over 20 years and this is their second year coaching at TPA. The season is competitive boys golf, but girls are also welcome on the team to improve their skills. The golf team practiced at the Shalimar Golf Course on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5. However, the team was welcome at the course any day of the week to fit in some extra practice.

Junior Savannah Vital has gained a lot from the season despite it being cut short. Golf has taught Savannah a valuable lesson that she can carry with her throughout life. She says, “I’ve learned golf is like life. When golfing, don’t let how you performed on one hole keep you from doing your best on the others. In life, you should never let one setback keep you from reaching your fullest potential.” Athletes should keep these powerful words in mind and remember to never give up.

In the short time that golf was able to practice, the coaches already saw great improvement among players. Coach Curt says, “After a successful Middle School season, Coach Jay and I were very excited about some of the new players who signed up and began actively working on their golf games this spring. The new players showed great improvement in the time we spent together and our returning talent formed the basis of an improved High School team. We look forward to resuming golf activities in the Fall and feel we are building a great foundation for a quality golf program for 2020 and beyond.”

TPA is building a solid foundation for the golf team so that new players and returning players alike can develop their abilities more efficiently. Future years seem promising for Tempe Prep golf because coaches have seen the hard work of athletes interested in golf paying off.