By Theresa O’Connor
The Tempe Prep high school golf team is in full swing as it approaches the middle of the Spring season, with new players and new skills levels.
The team competed on April 7 against Rancho Solano Prep and Veritas Prep at Shalimar Golf Course. The golfers placed second out of four teams and sophomore Noah Quiros placed first overall in the competition.
To prepare for upcoming matches, the team is refining its skills and techniques while improving its mindset toward the game. While it is important to master the basic mechanisms – driving, chipping, and putting – it is equally important to develop the right mentality towards every shot.
Co-Head Coach Curt Hudek, who instructs the high school golf team alongside Jay Becher, highlights how he integrates developing fundamental golf skills with the right mindset. He says, “In addition to learning the ‘techniques’ of playing the game there is discussion regarding integrity, focus, respect, temperament, team and we sneak in some ‘fun’ too. Successful golfers possess all of these traits in addition to tremendous golf skills.” In practice, these values are emphasized and incorporated in instruction and drills. Coach Hudek says, “Students experience the ‘frustration’ of learning a new (sport), but have all displayed patience and consideration of others as they learn this very social game. Practices have included drills related to all aspects of the game including chipping, putting, full swing and golf course management. There is also time spent on learning the rules of the game as well as the etiquette that is such an important part of the game.”
Making every practice an opportunity to improve upon these skills helps golfers when they are actually on the course.
The team has high aspirations as they continue to work hard throughout the season. Sophomores Jay Nergard and Noah say they are aiming to be one of the top teams in Division III. To achieve their goals, the two have worked hard on the off-season and regular season. Noah plays at local tournaments for JJA Golf, First Tee and U.S. Kids.
Jay emphasizes the importance of working year-round to grow in your sport. He says, “I don’t really see a lot of people who actually play their sport, they just do it during the school season. I’d say hard work is the most important (skill), probably the only one, too. You’ve got to practice your sport year-round to actually say that you played the sport.”
The golf team’s next tournament is at Augusta Ranch Golf Course against Queen Creek, San Tan Charter, and Benjamin Franklin on Apr. 11.
“Although we are only about a third of the way through the season it has been fun to see the improvement in all of our players and the enjoyment they are having as a team,” Coach Hudek says, “We are looking forward to another successful season and the creation of some new golfers for life.”