Garaway’s links success no surprise to young crew
Senior Charles Beachy has been a huge part of teaching Garaway’s youngsters how to handle the mental part of the game of golf. His consistent around-par scores haven’t hurt the Pirates either.
How consistent has Garaway’s golf team been this season?
Someone could easily sum it up by this simple statement. When recording their nine-hole team score, one would simply figure on writing down a one, followed by a five and then fill in the blank for the third and final singles column number. The Pirates have been eerily consistent in shooting in the 150s this season, so it has been a game of fill in the blank at the end of 1-5.
That consistency hasn’t gone unnoticed by new head coach Mikayla Johnson, who said her two anchors have been incredibly consistent in their ability to shoot around par while it seems as though some combination of the other four varsity players step up and deliver each night.
Johnson, a standout golfer at Strasburg who coached the girls team there for three years before accepting the Garaway boys gig this past summer, understands the challenge of taking over a program that has been a juggernaut for the past 15 years, making state appearances with regularity during that span.
With Garaway losing four talented seniors from last season, this was supposed to be a rebuilding year, but great programs don’t rebuild. They just reload, and that is exactly what the Pirates have done.
“I’m very proud of how this young team has handled itself this season,” Johnson said. “I think a lot of people thought we might not be as good this year because of our youth and how many seniors we lost off of last year’s team, but they’ve surprised a lot of people because we have played great golf.”
The two anchors have been steady senior Charles Beachy and electric freshman Trace Gibson. Those two have gone low to begin the year and haven’t wavered in their ability to put up quality numbers all season long.
“Our one and two have been so consistent every time out this season. I know I can turn them loose and not worry about having to coach them,” Johnson said. “They are the smart, steady kind of players who are going to do their thing, and that allows me to work with the younger kids.”
She went on to say Gibson has been so resilient and is playing well beyond his lack of experience while Beachy may not hit it a mile but his knowledge of the game and consistent play inspires his teammates.
Senior Emmet Royer and youngsters Carter Miller, Caleb Meek and Nick Maust have taken turns helping the Pirates continue a strong season.
“We’ve got four or five guys who can go out on any night and really put up solid numbers,” Johnson said. “I think that has been the key to our consistency this season.”
On Thursday, Sept 16, the Pirates altered that plan a tad, one upping themselves by firing a team score of 149 to easily fly past Indian Valley’s 180, claiming a victory on Senior Night. Gibson birdied the first hole and set the tone for a two-under-par 34 at Black Gold Golf Course in Sugarcreek. Beachy fired an even-par 36 while Emmet Royer shot a season-best 36 and Carter Miller rounded out the scoring with a 43.
At the River View Invite two days later, the Pirates continued their consistent effort, grinding out a 319, good for fourth place in a strong field. That they did it without Beachy playing was encouraging.
Gibson slid into the one-man spot and claimed the low total on the day among first-men with a 73. Miller shot a career-best 79, Royer fired an 81 and Maust added an 86, but the Pirates lost fourth place on a tiebreaker in the 20-team tournament.
“It’s exciting because we see the kind of potential that these kids possess,” Johnson said. “It’s a great group of kids who enjoy the game, and I think they’ve proven a lot so far this season.”