Van Buren’s boys golf team has seen steady growth over the past two seasons thanks to their head coach Beth DeLong.
DeLong took the reins of both boys and girls golf in 2023. DeLong played golf around Van Buren when she moved to Spencer. Her interest led to Van Buren calling her about taking the position. DeLong said she is focused on giving students meaningful opportunities both on and off the course.
“I have really enjoyed coaching and learning a sport that I necessarily did not know a lot about,” DeLong said. “I do everything for the kids. If they want an opportunity to play something new or try again, I’ve always enjoyed being there and giving them an opportunity to do something they wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.”
DeLong started playing golf shortly before taking over the position. DeLong said based on her firsthand history, along with hearing feedback from friends and colleagues, the importance of starting golf at a young age cannot be overstated.
“I would encourage any golf facility to support junior golf,” DeLong said. “It’s a sport that the kids can take with them for their whole lives, not just ending at high school.”
DeLong returned most of her team this season. DeLong said she noted a shift in her players’ motivations between seasons.
“The first year [I coached,] it was more of a batch of friends wanting to go out on the golf course and go out and try something new,” DeLong said. “This year, I think it was more of an individual basis, wanting to go out and do better than what they did last year.”
DeLong will return most of her golfers she first coached heading into next season. Most of the Eagles golfers will enter their senior year.
