When you hear the phrase “sweet sixteen” most think of a birthday or college basketball; however, for Wylie’s varsity golf team it means something a little different. On April 1, after a 16-year hiatus, they brought home the title of district champions.
“I knew we were capable of it. Whenever everyone was surprised, I really wasn’t,” said junior Casen James.
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James, the veteran on the team, said the team just all needed to play their best at once, something he knew would happen. According to James, he and the others have been playing golf consistently since about seventh grade, picking up golf again during Covid. He said many of them learned the sport at a younger age, but then spent most of their time on the baseball diamond instead of the greens up til then.
Coach Michael Campbell, who has coached for Wylie ten of his 33 years as a golf coach, agreed with James. “I could see development at each of the tournaments,” said Campbell. “They work hard, focus on the course at both tournaments and practice. I knew we had the capability.”
Campbell said the weather at the tournament was a factor for his team, but also knew it would be for the others, and he was right as all the teams shot higher the first day and lower the next. “The weather was crazy the first round, but it was ideal the second round,” said Campbell. “They [his golfers] all really stepped up.” The first day of the tournament was in Lubbock at the Hillcrest Country Club and the second day was at Abilene’s Diamondback Golf Course.
Sophomore Reese Templeton said the district championship win was a “heart-felt moment” for him. He said he didn’t really enjoy golf when he was younger but picked his clubs back up during Covid. Now he enjoys it and is working to be the best player he can be. Templeton said he doesn’t really get nervous before a tournament or if his teammates will do well because they have played together for some time.
In addition to James and Templeton, the team includes Jack Cole, Jack Currington and Carson Groban – also sophomores. Currington said the season has provided the team with confidence and experiences that will carry into the next season.
“Walking up to the regional tournament as a team and knowing we had contention was an internal goal, and it felt great that we had accomplished it,” said Currington. “I’m excited for next year. It will be our big year – our peak year – to go to state.”
Related: In Full Swing: The Growth of Wylie Junior High Golf Program is Booming
By Kristen Johnson
Photo By Rachel Keesee