RHS seniors reflect on golf careers
Sam Bucher
WEST LAFAYETTE – Sam Bucher and Amanda Hayes are the only seniors swinging clubs for the Ridgewood High School golf teams this fall. One has golfed since a child and the other is brand new to the sport.
“My Dad started taking me out golfing back when I would carry a plastic club to hit the ball around,” Bucher said. “He is definitely the golfer in the family.”
He enjoys the atmosphere of the sport and hanging out with his friends who play on the team.
“All the years on the team have been one big enjoyment,” Bucher said. “Every year I’ve done a little bit better. I’m in a bit of slump right now, but I think I’m starting to come out of it.”
He has golfed for Ridgewood since seventh grade.
“Coach (Lester) McCurdy and Doug Davis have really helped me along the way,” Bucher said. “My advice to the younger kids is to have a clear mind when you play and don’t get frustrated by the little things.”
Hayes also owes a lot to her coach because he’s the one that convinced her to try the sport.
“Coach (Craig Reveal) bugged me for a few months about needing another player for the girls’ team,” she said. “I had broken my ankle and knew I wasn’t going to be doing a lot of running right now so I decided I’d join the golf team.”
Hayes plays softball for Ridgewood and before this year had never done more than hit a driver off the side of a hill.
“I ended up being pretty good at golf,” she said. “Coach wishes I would have started as a freshman.”
Hayes lowest score so far this season was a 58 and she said their number one player usually gets between a 40 and 45.
Amanda Hayes
Despite her success, Hayes is still surprises at how difficult the game of golf actually is.
“I never thought it would be this hard,” she said. “It’s pretty hard for a calm sport.”
Hayes has enjoyed the challenge though and being with the team.
“I like hanging out with the Coach and the girls,” she said. “They are funny.”
Her teammate Samantha Wilson, who Hayes said she also plays softball with, has been a big help to her on the golf course.
“She tutors me and has helped me figure out what I need to do,” Hayes said.
Her advice to younger students is to give a sport a shot if they are thinking about playing it.
“Don’t wait until your last year,” Hayes said. “Don’t be shy, just step up and play.”
After she graduates, Hayes plans to take a year off and work to save money for college.
“I’m in the building trades program at the Career Center so I’m going to work in that field,” she said. “I’d like to stick with golf though. I told Coach that I want to get my own clubs and come watch them play next year and also play with them some.”
Bucher also has plans for after graduation. He is leaning toward going to Manchester University in Indiana and would like to become an English or history teacher. While he doesn’t plan to play golf for his college of choice, he said he will for sure continue to play for fun.
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: High School, Sports
