Monterey Wildcats Boys Golf Coach Ray Lee Jr. said his mission goes beyond competing in meets this season.
Lee began his Monterey coaching career teaching the middle school team in 2021. Lee enters his second season coaching the Wildcats golf team. Lee said he plans to build a culture that develops golfers while maintaining pride in the program.
“We’re getting kids interested that hopefully that transfers over to their kids that they stay around and how they want to play,” Lee said. “But we also just want to further the brand name and putting clothing and different hats and things out there that people can see that they can say, hey this is something I’d really like to be a part of.”
Last season, the Wildcats shot their lowest score in program history. Lee took the Wildcats golf program to the state championships in Pigeon Forge. Lee said those who succeed for the Wildcats this season must provide the right mentality.
“They have to be a type A personality that’ll push themselves and be willing to be pushed to get better and be not only a good player but a good teammate,” Lee said.
Lee completed tryouts and practices with students from Monterey High School and around the Monterey area over the summer. Lee said the support comes from people in and around the Monterey community.
“We have people come back that still ask about how the program’s doing, how the kids are doing,” Lee said. “We had some positive feedback from former players that are still up here and don’t live around here.”
Lee said Monterey has increased their number of golfers over the past couple of seasons. Monterey entered this season with the most golfers Lee has coached.
