Golf, a Sport Where Friendships Are Key

By Christian Reiner

Golf. A sport where your pace is quite the opposite of other sports, and where several friendships are formed. If someone is looking for that type of sport then the golf team is right for them.

Jeff Kratzer who is the head golf coach for the boys and girls, has been glad to see the team improving each year. Although he doesn't think it’s as important to “single out a certain meet” that was the best, “[he loves] how Princeville kids always seem to get along with the other teams that [they] are competing against. There seems to be more friendships made with golfers than any other sport.”

Coach Kratzer is proud of all the team members. However, there is one player this year that has set himself apart from others. Kratzer commented “ I’m really proud of how Ernie Perkins has worked on his game to become our #1 golfer. He took it upon himself to play a lot of golf this summer to get himself to a point where he could possibly get to the regional level. [Kratzer is] also happy  that Ernie has taken on a leadership role on this team by teaching the younger players about golf etiquette."

Ernie has been in golf since his freshman year when he was “convinced by one of [his] best friends Noah Cokel”. Ever since then he has “never looked back, it was one of the best decisions ever." His favorite meets are the ones where he gets to “see all of [his] friends from other schools. Especially after four years of golfing I now know most of the kids from other schools, and just have a great time with them.” Perkins “makes sure to make every moment on the course with everyone count."

Another player who decided to join the golf team was Saige Shock. Schock’s Family has  been “members at Arrowhead Country Club for the past few years,"  and so her interest has only increased since then. Schock “had a couple surgeries on her foot then [she] decided that volleyball was no longer the best thing for her." Ever since Schock began golf, [she has] grown closer to other students at school that [she has] never had the chance to.” Schock has also been able to meet “many new people from other schools at the matches." Schock was able to obtain her personal best at Elmwood Country Club, and shot a 51.

Emily Down has also joined the golf team because, “[she] thought it would be fun and some of [her] friends were joining the golf team." Down was able to do her “best at Kellogg against Richwoods where [she] shot a 51.” 

Katelyn Juskiv has had an incredible time on the golf team so far this year as well. Juskiv appreciates the “positivity… and how the seniors get along so well. It’s a really relaxing sport that allows [her] to have fun."  Juskiv is looking forward to “spending a lot of time with the team and watching everyone improve.” Juskiv is also really glad that this is “not something that we just have to quit after high school, but we can continue to do for fun.”

Come out to watch the PHS golf team, this is a fun group that is growing in their golf skills while having fun doing the sport they love.