By Tom Rohrer
Known by most as a game for individuals, golf can draw out competitiveness from even the closet knit teams.
However, competition can be beneficial even on a team setting, as members raise their level of play and dedication in accordance with their peers.
This is the case for the Black Hills High School boy’s golf team, as the Wolves feature a dynamic one- two punch in juniors Jake Shier and Ryan Waldron.
The two golfers also happen to be long-time friends, a friendship that helped push Waldron to an appearance at districts a year ago, and Shier to a 34th place appearance at the state tournament.
As the two golfers look ahead towards their remaining meets, they understand how beneficial having one another around is for the other.
“It’s fun,” Shier said. “It’s kind of nice to have someone to play against every time (and) it’s good to try and keep pace with him. We’re really good friends, so we have a good time playing against each other every day.”
“Really, it’s just good competition,” Waldron said. “It’s fun to play with him too, which doesn’t make it so competitive, but still, were at the same level. We’re really just trying to fight for the top spot while making each other better.”
Dale Reeves, who is entering his first season as the boys coach at BHHS after leading the girl’s team for several years, says the two player’s performance and demeanor rubs off onto the other members of the squad.
“We’re in a transition process and we’re reestablishing expectations,” Reeves said. “Jake just does things naturally, and he’s a leader by example. Doesn’t take a lot of energy, he’s just matter of fact and we like to use him to model what we’re after. Ryan is much the same.”
Reeves says the boys are handling expectations well and are showing consistent improvement as time marches on.
“Their expectations are to continue to improve on a weekly basis,” Reeves said. “Our goal for them is to shoot near scratch golf. Right now they are at about the 40-41 window and they’re kind of narrowing it down. I think we are on course with them.”
Both Shier and Waldron play in several out of season tournaments, including trips to Walla Walla, Bremerton and Hawks Prairie. Playing in such competitions allows the players to gauge themselves against the field.
“Playing in those kinds of tournaments, that’s huge,” Waldron said. “It helps you become more mentally sound, and see what other players can do, especially the ones you don’t see during the regular season.”
Participating in the state tournament was an eye opening experience for Shier.
“It just kind of gives you an idea of the competition,” Shier noted. “And what you have to do against everyone else who goes to state.”
In order to obtain their goals of a trip to the state event, both Waldron and Shier noted they needed to improve their all-around accuracy, while playing to their various strengths. Shier said that he plays at least nine holes every day if he isn’t able to practice with the team, and Waldron says he is on a similar practice regimen. Forging a relationship with their new coach has been an easy task for the two boys.
“Coach has been awesome,” Waldron noted. “It’s been a good year up to this point and looks like it will continue to be.”
“It’s been good getting to know him and seeing what he wants from the team and me also,” Shier said. “It’s been a good year so far.”
