Photo Credit: Scott Osborne

By Peter Yarnell

Staff Writer

The Hammond High School golf season starts with a bang as the boys team clinch the East Side Iron Skillet for the fifth consecutive year, continuing their impressive dynasty. With a 2-2 record early in the season, the boys are focused on their long-term goals and are determined to make their mark in Howard County this year.

On the girls’ side, the team has shown promising signs, playing in multiple close matches and looking to build momentum as the season progresses. The girls currently stand at 0-4, aiming to stay competitive while enjoying the game and pushing to improve from last season.

Senior Captain, John Louie, is embracing his leadership role alongside key players Collin Stryker and Luke Duckworth. Reflecting on the team’s position this year, Louie shared, “In the grand scheme of things, we’re definitely the underdog.” This was echoed by both teammates and Coach Scott Osborne, who all believe the team is ready to make noise around the county.

On the girls team, freshman Lizzy Beer-Maxwell is quickly putting Hammond Girls Golf on the map with standout performances. In an interview, she emphasized the strong team chemistry, saying, “We really support each other, we watch each other, and help each other improve during the range and during games.” Beer-Maxwell and her teammates are focused on growth and taking the season one match at a time.

With many seniors graduating last year, the program has leaned on underclassmen and juniors to step up. While golf is often seen as a calm and relaxing sport, both Coach Osborne and the players highlight the mental challenges it brings. Osborne also highlights his new players, Luke Duckworth and Rachel Taylor, who he says have played for a short amount of time and look to be key contributors to the team this year.

Coach Osborne explained, “One of the hardest things about golf being an individual sport is getting in your own head. As soon as you feel like you’re having a bad day, you’re in a hole, you’re never coming out of it, it can be hard to climb out of.” 

Louie added, “It’s not necessarily as physically demanding, but mentally, it’s the hardest sport.” Stryker shared similar views talking about the mental aspect. 

Having coached for years, Osborne has experience and a passion for developing players. “It’s a great sport to get into,” he said, discussing how he works with newer players. “I think my main role in terms of technique and that kind of thing is working with the players that are newer to the game.”

When asked, “What does preparation look like to you?” All three–-John, Collin, and Luke—agreed they like to keep things relaxed, focus on the fundamentals, and simply enjoy playing the game. 

Beyond the competition, the team maintains a lighthearted and enjoyable atmosphere. When asked about team personality, Luke Duckworth summed it up best: “I think we’re very goofy to be honest. Everyone’s kind of a troll, but I love the guys on the team.”