September 26th, 2008
Its
the end of the golf season and my tenure as varsity golf coach, a relationship I hate to see come to a end. However
I am proud of our team’s achievements. A team it was a pleasure to be involved with. Maybe sometime in the future the
OHSAA will allow for spring and fall participation by the conference golf teams. Just wishful thinking, so let me tell you
about the players and their efforts from the season that’s ending.
First I want to acknowledge that The Rams Alex Zorniger was the leader at the start of the season and he didn't falter,
leading us to a second-place finish on Oct. 18th at Waldon Ponds. His consistent play led to a win over Troy Christian
at Miami Shores
Sophomore Bob Dyer along with Nate Benedict led us to a 2nd place finish at Sebastian Hills in our conference
quad match. We fell off in two of our last four matches to finish 2 and 2. However with the help of our two seniors Justin
Patmon and Tyler
Benedict
we were able to keep it close. Thanks to Marc Pavlofsky the teams attitude was always loose and focus. This was my first
year as coach but I enjoyed it very much even if they did try my last nerve on more then one occasion.
In all of the eighteen hole tournaments the MVS golf team played in we finished above 500 and I think that
is quite well for a division 3 school. I am not familiar with last years record for comparison, we did finish the Metro Buckeye Conference with a record of 7 and 3 with 3 players in the top 10 in conference points.
Bob Dyer, Alex Zorniger, and Nate Benedict who also made the All conferencer 1st
team and Justin Patmon made the 2nd team I used these results to award the team sportsman this year and it went
to Bob
Dyer, but it was Justin Patmons 77 at Pipestone that took us to the championship and the sectionals.
The
MVS Rams ended the season with a Metro Buckeye Conference Championship and a
fourth place finish in the Sectional at Walden Pond GC that sends us to the district qualifying October 2nd at Weatherwax GC. All in all I think it was a solid season and the future looks bright for MVS Rams golf.
Seniors Justin Patmon, Tyler Benedict and Marc Pavlofsky showed their true Rams colors throughout the season and thanks
to some grate efforts by our returning players I feel we will have a very competitive team next year. I would like to take
this moment to say thanks to Athletic Director Ken Lakke for the opportunity that he gave me to return to coaching, doing
what I love, coaching and teaching young golfers how to play and enjoy this game. To Coach Kelly whom I met when I was at
UD as assistant golf coach I say hello and thanks for rhe words of wisdom that will help me to be even a better coach.
Now I would like to take a moment to reflect on the game of golf and how it helps with the total development
of our kids that play the game. The attributes that a individual needs on and of the golf course are the same,
(Honesty, discipline, respect for others and themselves) It is my belief that as a member of the team every
athlete has the right to participate with teammates and against opponents at a level equal to his or her maturity and ability.
Golf is one sport where you will see better players playing with individuals of less talent. It is at this time when we get
to see as coaches our influence on our players in the area of sportsmanship and respect. Golf is the only team sport that
puts the individual players in a position of being depended on for the team to win.
We put a lot of responsibility on our players to play good, be a good sport and school representive. He or she
under the pressure of competition will find that golf does not build character as much as it reveals character. Sometimes
as coaches we are disappointed but remember it has a greater effect on the athlete then the coaches. With this I want you
to remember that every coach has the right to coach, every player has the right to play and every parent has the right to
know.
May all the coach’s and staff at MVS continue on the road
to success and God Bless. GO RAMS
H.Turk Walker