From Student to Coach ~ Taylor Black Contemplates His New Role as Assistant Coach of The Laker Golf Team

As a sophmore in high school I had to make the decision to play lacrosse or golf. I was reasonably talented at lacrosse; but I was too small to excel. I never played golf competetivly, but told myself that I would give it my best shot. I spent my first season of golf on the junior varsity team, which was coached by Mr. Gelston and Mrs. Kirk.

I spent the season playing the 5th seed and winning or tying my opponent in every match. In my first season I was named the Junior Varsity Most Valuable Player. It was a big surprise to me. I was then sent to the Junior Varsity Individuals, the first time I would play competetivly for 18 holes. I was in the second group as well, which was comprised of the best players from Gilman, Mt. St. Joseph and Sts. Peter and Paul. As we ended our rounds and our scores were posted I actually felt embarassed - having shot 101 (the winner shot 76).

That year our Varsity team won the B Conference Championship for the first time since 1995. The team was talented and young - there appeared no reason for us not to win again the following year.

My junior year, I made the varsity team and played under Coach Crider. It was a fun year. Everyone got along, and are performance was respectable, though not as good as the previous year. I never played in a match that season. I shared the 7th and 8th seed with one of my teammates, Jessie Filamore. The season ended in a playoff birth, in which we failed to advance past the first round.

My senior year, I came down with a case of "Senioritis." I remember thinking to myself, "Hey I was accepted to the school of my choice. I don't need to do anything anymore." In retrospect, that attitude was a bit immature. Golf came around and we had a new coach - Coach Champion. The team was a bit skeptical because most of us had played 4 years under Coach Crider. It was a big change. Coach Champion actually "coached" us, unlike Coach Crider who effectively merely babysat us. Although our games improved dramatically throughout the season, we compiled a miserable record - finishing the season 3 & 8.

I spent my entire final season trying to get a spot in the top 6. It took me until our last match to get a chance to play. I struggled for the first 6 holes, losing to my opponent. But as the back 6 began, I took the lead early and was able to hang on. Coming into the last hole I needed par to win and end the match in a tie. Just as we were about to putt out, my opponent gave me the shot because he had already made double bogey and recognized that I was putting for birdie. It was a great feeling to win that match.

It was an amazing experience to play for the Boys' Latin Lakers Golf Team - and since I've returned to help coach, it's been even more rewarding.

Now that I come back and see how the team is doing, I must confess to being somewhat jealous. I see the team using high-tech equipment, receiving donated products, and practicing a month before golf even starts. Being given the amazing chance to play under two PGA professionals, I wonder how my senior year would have ended had the team members been given the chance to see their swings, and practice as a team six weeks before the season started. Wow.

The program has come a long way. People donating equipment, a website, a hitting net. All these things are great assets to have - benefits that I never had the chance to utilize. I am happy to be back as a coach. Though I may not be able to help out with your swings and stances as well as Coach Champion and Coach Vaughn, I am able to relate to your life position and the situations and challenges inherent to where you are in your development. Please know that if you ever need help with anything, you can always lean on me. If you have a question that you don't think other people might understand, I would encourage you to talk with me. I am here for you; and I look forward to the rest of the season.

-Coach Black