BOYS GOLF WINS CAPE COAST... AGAIN

According to Coach Johnson, it all starts with having a group of great golfers.

“We have really talented players on the team that know how to prepare themselves and take ownership in making sure they and their teammates are preparing the best they can for competitions,” he said.

Wang added that the golfers put in a lot of time individually to improve their own game while also spending time getting to know each other well.

“We work hard and practice together, especially during the season,” Wang said. “We also mix up the groups during team practices to get to know each other better.”

Loughlin noted that even though golf is more of an individual game rather than a team sport, the team is close.

“We have fun together,” he said. “We realize that golf is an individual game and not much of a team thing, but we talk to each other and we are good friends."

Wang also said that Coach Johnson allows the players to balance their time between practicing with and getting to know their teammates and practicing individually to improve their own game.

“Coach gives us a lot of flexibility to balance our time and practice on our own,” said Wang.

Johnson agreed with his players’ sentiments, adding that creating a team camaraderie and having a blend between fun and competitive practices is a key to success.

“Making sure that the individualistic aspect of golf doesn’t pull players away from each other is always something we focus on,” said Johnson. "I try to make it so that players are relaxed at practice and enjoy being around each other in hopes that gets them more focused and ready to play their best not just for themselves, but for each other. I also focus on trying to make it as fun as possible while also as competitive as possible to push for a higher level of success but to also appreciate how successful we are now.”

Even though he is graduating at the end of this school year, Wang believes that the team is set up for future success.

“We have a few middle-schoolers who are really strong, so as they get older, they will start hitting the ball farther and take on a larger role on the team,” he said.

Johnson also noted that letting younger players compete against tougher competition helps them develop into leaders on the team when they are older.

“During the regular season, I try to play a mix of players so they can get comfortable playing with the talented players on our team and against good competition from other teams,” Johnson said, “so that when it is their turn to take on a key role on the team, they are ready for their turn in the spotlight.”

With good, young golfers on the rise and a strategy for developing and maintaining a great team, Edgewood’s golf team seems set for much more success in the years to come.