As the golf season swings into the new spring season, the team continues to build on momentum from last year’s 14-3 sectional championship run. Led by longtime coach Bret Jenkins, now in his 11th year, the team is sticking to what’s worked in the past: commitment and consistency.
“The dedication and how into golf the players are, that’s really what drives our success,” Jenkins said. “They golfed all summer and fall, and even in the freezing weather here in the spring.”
Freshman Jackson Lane had a remarkable season with shooting a 37 in multiple events. As a freshman that is very impressive and he even placed in the top 3 a few times. Lane won first place in a meet against Delran where he shot a 38.
Golf matches are structured around six players from each team, but only the top four scores count toward the final result. That format focuses not only on individual performance but consistency across the lineup.
“It’s really about staying in the right mental state,” Jenkins said. “If a hole doesn’t go well, it’s just one hole. You’ve got to pick up and move on.”
Junior golfer Emily Renouf explains how one’s mindset factors into one’s performance.
“The game is very mentally challenging,” Renouf said. “But being on the team has made me mentally tougher, and it’s been a really positive experience overall.”
Renouf, who started golfing at 12, said she’s currently focused on improving her short game and continuing to grow as a player.
For Renouf and fellow teammate Madison Gibson, a junior, one of the biggest challenges has been advocating for more opportunities as female golfers.
“Working to have more opportunities as a girl and advocating to be put into tournaments,” Gibson said of the season’s biggest challenge.
A girls’ golf team is something she’s consistently pushed for. Like Renouf, her goals are simple and focused.
“I just want to continue to improve and become a better golfer,” Gibson said.
Junior Tyler Harris, when he shot at 9 holes, stayed consistent this season with shooting under a 40 each time and had many pars this season where he shot under 3-5 at a majority of holes.
Despite some early weather setbacks and minor injuries, the ship has remained steady. Coach Jenkins says his team is currently performing as expected, but tougher matches and tournaments lie ahead. With a mix of experienced golfers and newer talent, the program looks to fulfill its sectional championship aspirations, along with its growing roster.
“We used to have single digits,” Jenkins said. “Now we keep 16 players, including both boys and girls.”
As of April 30th, the team showed great poise to continue their already successful season, winning the Burlington County Open, boasting three golfers that shot an 80 or below. Golfers freshman Jackson Lane, junior Matson Zimmerman, and junior Tyler Harris all placed top 3 in the match.
After their most recent match against Moorestown Friends, the golf team stayed a perfect 9-0 against BCSL opponents, winning the match 158-172.
Whether aiming for another sectional title or simply perfecting short game skills, this year’s team was focused and driven. The golf team finished with an impressive record of 15-2.
