Fall sports are underway at OHS, and no team is more thrilled for the beginning of a new season than boys’ golf. With a few matches already played, and a long history of winning the DV Cup–DVUSD’s district-wide golf championship–OHS boys’ golf looks ever-promising for a successful season.
Though a traditionally slow-paced sport, the team has no lack of energy and excitement for the game and this year’s squad.
“I hold the kids to [a] high regard, and I expect a lot out of them. I think we’re currently ranked 8th in state, which is about where I think this team should be,” said Uriah Cross, boys’ golf coach. “I’ll be looking to improve regardless.”
One of the defining factors of this season’s team can be seen in the ages of the players. As a “veteran team,” or a team with a higher number of experienced upperclassmen players instead of underclassmen, juniors and seniors have a large role to play in the group dynamic.
“I try to put [the underclassmen] in good routines, try to teach them how to practice well,” said Cole Gillis, senior. “If they’re doing a certain drill wrong, I would teach them how to do it right.”
The influence of older players does not only apply to the technical aspects of the sport; the team has been able to form a cohesive unit, with a positive culture that spans every grade and skill level.
“We all laugh, we have fun at practice, and we all know each other pretty well,” said Braden Schlink, freshman.
However, the boys also know how to focus on what needs to be done during practices, always refining their technical skills for the next match–and the next win.
“Cross either has us play the front of the 18 or just go up to the range and chip. We have competitions too,” said Mike Lopez, sophomore.
Though always friendly, the competitive nature of the sport is perhaps the team’s greatest motivator to improve.
“It’s very competitive. In golf, there [are] five spots; I got a team of fourteen, and I can only take five,” Cross said. “I make the boys compete as much as I possibly can, whether it be a little putting competition, or whether it be a qualification. I think iron sharpens iron.”
Even still, the players recognize when to put their ambitious natures to rest and simply embrace what it means to be part of the OHS boys’ golf team.
“We go to QT every day. Cross always has to get his corn nuts, and we give Cross the aux after,” Gillis said.
The team has also adopted certain routines to help prepare and unite them before tournaments and matches.
“We…say a prayer before every match,” Lopez said.
Furthermore, Coach Cross does whatever he can to ensure that he is leading a team that will bring success and prosperity, but will also create amazing players and shape even better mentors.
“I always wanted my own thing here at O’Connor,” Cross said. “I like being the leader of it, and trying to figure out the best way to get the most out of the kids.”
With the aforementioned veteran-style nature of this season’s golf team, many players will be saying their final farewell to OHS matches, swinging their clubs at the 500 Club for the last time. Yet, these players still seek to improve their team and continue their successful run.
“[My motivation] is to bring home some trophies for Cross and win the DV Cup,” Gillis said.
For now, all the golfers can do is work hard and work together to ensure maximum performance for their remaining matches.
“I think the boys are locked in for the end half of the season,” Schlink said.
When the season finally comes to an end, the OHS boys’ golf team can rest assured knowing that, even without their senior players next season, the impact of such a memorable, close-knit team will live on for many years to come.
“We have a solid squad this year. I think…we’re meant to be,” Schlink said.
