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KIS Golf: Great Swings, Good Shots, Team Camaraderie!

October 31, 2024

KIS communications intern Jiwon caught up with high school golfers to learn more about the sport and the fun of being on this year’s team. 

Varsity golf captain Daniel recalls when he first joined the team two years ago. There were only five boys and one girl when it was first created. In the years since, the golf team evolved into a varsity sport with 18 players on the team this season.

This fall the golf team traveled to Thailand to participate in a tournament, playing on world-class courses and winning second place overall with golf co-captain Eva winning the girls division. Daniel says that going to Thailand was an unforgettable experience. “The courses, weather, and people in Thailand were amazing, but the best part was creating memories with my teammates,” says Daniel.

One of the reasons the season has been so successful is because all the players get along. Even though golf is an individual sport, the team still built camaraderie. “It was great,” varsity golf member Gabriel says. “We helped each other by fixing our swinging forms. One of the coaches even gave us a tip on how to sleep in 10 seconds.” He also enjoys golf because he is able to meet people that he can both learn from and teach. 

Eva says that because of the team’s relatively large size, they weren’t as close in the beginning, but as time passed, she learned that “it's important to communicate and function as a team unit rather than solely focusing on winning.” She reflects on the fun of being one of the leaders of the golf team, saying that she was always proud of her team members when they did well during a tournament or demonstrated improvement. 

Some KIS golfers first started playing with their families. Alex remembers his dad teaching him in elementary school. Now he enjoys the sport as his own hobby. “It’s time I can spend specifically on myself,” he says.

Coach Nick Roy shares his philosophy on the sport. “Any golfer will tell you that the sport is the greatest and most frustrating. Golf is a roller-coaster ride!” Coach Roy says. “When you strike a ball with precision it feels like you’ve mastered not just the game, but every facet of your life. When you shank shot after shot, the struggle to identify what’s gone awry can be overwhelming. Yet for those who embrace the lifelong challenges golf presents, the mental, physical, and social rewards are immensely gratifying.”

The golf team closed their season with a first place win in the KAIAC Screen Golf Championship with Ian as top boy. Daniel explains the difference between screen golf and golfing on a course. “In screen golf, the ball is automatically aimed toward the flag but in real golf, the direction isn’t always perfect, which can lower our score.”

The team captains, reflecting on the team’s performance throughout the season, say that they couldn’t be prouder of what they achieved.