Hope Does Not Disappoint ~ Reflections on What's To Come For The Lakers in '07

Once upon a time, the Boys' Latin Golf Team had little hope for success in 2007. The season prior ended with the Lakers finishing the year 0-11, having suffered defeat at the hands of every team in the conference.

Once upon a time, the Boys’ Latin Golf Team had little hope to produce six starting players for the 2007 season. The previous year had ended with half of the varsity line-up graduating – including Team Captain Stuart Naeny and squad veterans, Stuart Mitchell and Michael Gallagher. Filling their shoes would be a formidable task for a team already anchored in challenge.

Once upon a time, the Boys’ Latin Golf Team had little hope to secure its future with quality young talent. The previous three seasons had never found the team carrying more than three freshmen golfers – and 2007 appeared to promise more of the same relative disinterest from the school’s pool of 9th graders.

Once upon a time, the Boys’ Latin Golf Team had little hope…

But then, things began to change.

Since the completion of the 2006 Season, The Coaching Staff, The Athletic Department, and more importantly, the team members themselves have refocused and taken greater ownership of the Golf Program. They have realigned their plans for the future. They have researched new paths of goal achievement. They have sought young talent and fresh perspective. They have dedicated greater financial resource to their cause. And they have hoped wholeheartedly, that the fruit of their labor would be the experiences of growth and victory for the members of their Golf Team. In that hope the Program found its greatest asset.

The Golf Program found itself supported by good hearts and strong spirits. It found itself backed by integrity, purpose, intention and focus. It found itself served by those who would want more for others than they would for themselves. The Golf Program found its hope – and in doing so, found its purpose.

This past Tuesday the Boys’ Latin Golf Team kicked-off the 2007 Season by hosting its first Pre-Season Meeting. That meeting found the Lakers welcoming a record number of interested students. The talent pool has grown, and the cream of this crop promises a bright future for the Laker Team.

In addition, the Coaching Staff welcomes three new faces in 2007. Keith Euker, Doug Schreck and Wendy Forbes join Coaches Champion, Vaughn, and Edmonds to comprise the finest coaching staff yet assembled for the Lakers. Champion and Vaughn maintain membership to the PGA of America, and have been supported by Edmonds’ calming influence for the past three years. Coach Schreck joins the Coaching Staff after having been employed as an Assistant Golf Professional at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey. Coach Forbes brings her experience as a member of the Gettysburg College Women’s Golf Team. And Coach Euker, a single digit handicapper himself, joins the Lakers after having competed within the MIAA as Team Captain and Quarterback for Loyola during his high school tenure. Collectively, the Coaching Staff brings a high level of experience, insight and wisdom to the table that they are enthusiastic about imparting on the members of the team in 2007.

Once upon a time, the Boys’ Latin Golf Team had little hope…

One upon a time…is over.

The future of the Boys’ Latin Golf Team appears secure and strong. The time ahead now promises to be full of refreshment and accomplishment for the Lakers. Though the road will not be paved with ease, it will certainly bear great triumph for those who journey along its path. The development of the team will be anchored in a staunch work ethic, an unwavering focus and a formidable team spirit that will fuel the fire of accomplishment.

The Lakers suffered in 2006. But that suffering did something to the team. It produced perseverance. And that perseverance produced character. And that character has produced the hope that is now the focal point of the team’s posture. Hope is here. And hope…does not disappoint.