Head Golf Coach John Pryor shifting the program’s focus toward chipping and putting to help a young roster transition into competitive scoring.
Coach John Pryor said the team is working to move past an obsession with driving distance to prioritize saving strokes around the green. Pryor said the current roster features several players who have the physical ability to hit the ball well but need to develop the discipline required to lower their scores.
“It’s getting it in the hole, it’s the scoring part, you know,” Pryor said, “I’ve had a lot of kids on my team that would prefer to hit it 300 yards down the fairway and make a double bogey than hit it 250 and make a par.”
Pryor said the program is entering a rebuilding phase after losing four of its five primary starters from the previous season. Pryor said the departure of eight senior boys and one senior girl means the team will likely take a step back in terms of experience this year.
“Well, I think, you know, one of the things that I like about golf is I try to make it a fun experience,” Pryor said. “And when you’ve got kids that are friends with each other and enjoy being there and enjoy playing the game, you know, it makes kids want to come to practice. And so I’ve got another big team, I’ve got a big group of freshmen, and the whole atmosphere around the program is real positive and those guys helped make that or set that tone.”
Pryor said senior Abram Cogler has emerged as the team’s leader and most experienced player following the graduation of the previous senior class. Pryor said Cogler has become more vocal this year and serves as a role model for younger players because of his ability to hit the ball long distances.
“Abram Cogler is going to be a senior and he’s my most experienced player and he has taken a leadership role with the team and it’s really good to see him blossom,” Pryor said. “He’s a good player and, you know, the other kids, he hits it a long way and the other kids kind of idolize him, some of the younger ones do. And he has really found his voice, you know, he wasn’t as quiet or wasn’t as loud or vocal last year because he had all those seniors, but he has really stepped into the forefront.”
Pryor said senior Chloe Boyd provides another example of excellence for the team as a Tennessee Tech commit and the recent Sneds Tour Player of the Year for the 16 to 18-year-old division. Pryor said Boyd maintains a high GPA and strong ACT score while participating in numerous extracurricular clubs and winning the science fair at Tennessee Tech.
“She’s committed to play at Tennessee Tech, but she won the science fair at Tennessee Tech I think a few years ago and she’s a member of every club coming and going,” Pryor said. “She’s got a really high GPA. She’s got a good ACT score. She really is outstanding.”
Pryor said the roster includes several multi-sport athletes, including junior Anderson Fortner and sophomore Maddox Pyburn, who both play baseball. Pryor said sophomore Elliott Barnes, the reigning MVP of the basketball team, has also joined the golf program this year.
“And just, you know, the thing about these kids, I enjoy ’em so much, they’re such good kids,” Pryor said. “And I enjoy my time with them and I’m just really grateful to get to, it’s a second atmosphere than being in a classroom. And so, you know, my goals that I kind of preach are let’s make some memories and have some fun, and this is a good group to be with for sure.”
Pryor said approximately 10 players are currently competing for the four remaining spots in the starting five-man rotation behind Cogler.
