The Woodruff High School Golf Team competed today for the Region 3-AAA Tournament at Lakeside Country Club. Their story will be special one day... not for their scores... not for their accomplishments... not for their victories... but for the friendship that this team has.
Competing against teams around us means that we already know what their teams are capable of and what we have to do to be successful. These boys have been practicing as a team since February, and this morning began the first competition to take them to state.
Our team of nine got to play the first five. From those five, the top four scores count. Through many competitions on the course, Daniel, Trey, Gage, Ben, and Chase led WHS on the course today. I really wish that the grade levels were beside these boys' names because I'm thinking that no other team is as young as ours. Gage and Ben are 8th graders and the rest are in the 10th grade.
Chase-- I call him Ben's twin. I even took a picture today with Coach Craig with his arm around Chase thinking what a great picture it was of Coach with Ben. When I got up closer I realized it was Chase. I love that Chase thinks like me... after the round today --where I could hardly take a deep breath, I told Katie Britt to go get me a coke... and Chase wanted a Mountain Dew... his mama packs him emergency ones for the rounds--- he had to settle for a Sprite, but we knew that drink would be a great sigh of relief.
That devilish grin there is what really reminds me of Ben. He loves to pick on people, put one toe across the line, and make comments that I can't help but smile about... even though I probably shouldn't. I'm so glad to have shared this season with his humor.
This boy... more about him later, but I took this picture to get that black looking caterpillar in the morning sunlight. He doesn't think he needs to shave, but he does.... he couldn't wait to shave for the first time and now it takes threats to get him to do it! This is right before he teed off in front of a lot of people... that always makes me nervous... can't imagine his feelings.
As I am typing this, this girl is taking a final.... she loves to come see "Robert"...
I tried to stay away from these two on the course... they sometimes say things when Ben hits a bad shot that make me mad.... I have to remind them he isn't perfect and he is only 15.
Coop.... one of Ben's favorites... sweetest kid ever. He was a blessing to be with Ben today because he kept him focused when Ben could have decided to let it go. I offered him food and drink all day, but he didn't take anything... I think he is scared of Mark!
Ben and Chase were playing criss-cross applesauce on the course.... they were hitting out of each other's fairways instead of their own.
I can't imagine carrying a bag with clubs and all his junk... and a purple Crown Royal bag with tees... and a special ball marker... he doesn't use it... but it's there.... at the end of the day today, I could barely keep my eyes dry for thinking about how much Daddy would have loved being there....
This is the grin you have when you know your mama is taking your picture and you are having a pretty good round...
Coach "Bill" Brasington... he loves these boys... he gives his time (too much probably) making sure they have everything they need... what I admire most about him is that he gives up time watching his own son on the team to come help our boys with decisions that are important. He gets a lot of 911 texts during the rounds since we can't talk to the boys!
This is me trying to stay away from KB and Mark.... you know... so I don't have to hear them say... "that isn't in the fairway" "that might be out" "why did he hit it there".... they make me nervous or "tight" as Rocky says!
One of our favorite things to do is watch the players come in on the 18th hole.
Mark and Chase were waiting on Ben to hit his second shot on a par five going for the green OVER WATER.... I couldn't look... and I sure couldn't breathe....
Walking up 18 to chip for an eagle....
Decisions, decisions.... you hope for the best and pray he can make a par!
Customary shaking of hands at the end of the round... he was all smiles as he finished his day with his lowest round ever in an 18 hole match.... 76.
Gage deciding what to do on 18...
He finished the day with a round in the 70s and of course they all think they should be shooting under par, but us mamas love a 70s round! I love Gage's attitude... he's the best spitfire I've ever met... he loves a challenge... and most of the time, he and Ben have a tie when the round is over... they are "spooky-scary alike" in many, many ways!
Ty is another precious child who has the sweetest manners, sometimes hides from my camera, but always gives an encouraging hug to the guys when they come off the course! He had an awesome round a few weeks ago at Three Pines!
These two are my hearts... she finishes school tomorrow... her freshman year... more to come on that later!
As much as they are alike... they are so different... Mark's nerves can be seen by everyone... Ben's are hidden.... I laugh as I look at two of three men I have loved with all my heart! Daddy wasn't there, but Ben's mannerisms, his actions, his devilment is Butch made over...all he needs is a cigarette! Just teasing!
Trey Baby... He has one motion... slow... and it's the BEST.... he doesn't get in a rush or hurry... he thinks about his shot... he takes his time... and he is always doing his best! I'm thrilled that Ben has a someone to look up to and try to act like!
Ben and Blake checking out Trey.... Blake has improved so much this year! He supports his teammates and can be found "virtually" in my house often playing Fortnite with Ben.
The reason Chase acts the way he does... Chuck... we have a good group of daddies that follow these boys around!
Rocky has two to watch... there is no greater happiness than watching your children be successful at what they love... besides they know if they have a bad round that Rocky, Chuck, and Mark will pick on them!
Trey coming out of the bunker... better than the water!
I love the bond these boys have... they run when they see me coming to take their picture, but one day they will be so glad I was there....
The thing I love most about golf is that it never ends... these boys can play together for the rest of their lives... until they are 100.... because golf is a sport that goes on and on..... I feel like they will be making even better memories in a few years!
The two twins...
and add this one... and there could be trouble!
Daniel on 18. I had the opportunity to teach him a couple of years ago, and he is the ideal student.... I also taught his sister many moons ago! Ben secretly wants to follow in his footsteps... but I've reminded him often that Daniel's grades are just as good as his golf game!
Nothing makes you feel better after a round than a hug from your mama...
unless of course it's your best friend!
Our boys did well today... they all shot in the 70s and took first place in the region.
Here's the great picture I took of Ben and Coach Craig... except it was Chase...
Kyle grinning that devilish grin.... he can also be found "virtually" in my house some nights and he, Ben, and Gage left straight from this golf course to head back to Three Pines to play again! Kyle also fools me sometimes because he looks like Ben and Gage too!
The boys eating BBQ after the round!
Nothing like BBQ in the hot, hot, hot sun! It's a wonder they didn't get sick the way they ate it so fast!
Gage thinking he wants to know how Ben can eat all that macaroni and cheese!
Lunch time outside instead of a cafeteria wasn't so bad! I'm not real sure why more boys don't sign up for golf... I mean during golf season they barely make it a week at school...
The top 8 scorers were chosen for All -Region... of course I had no idea this was given out, but I'm mad that our other two players didn't get it! They were only one shot away from making it! Today was Ben's turn, but they will get their turn... I'm sure of it! As JoAnn said, "We are celebrating all of them!".
All those boys and the coach.... let's hope for the next two weeks we are taking pictures that make them smile like this!
Sis had to head back to Clemson, but she wanted a picture with her All Region brother. Next week we may be low man on the totem pole, so we have to celebrate the wins... and learn from the character building days....
And "Mrs. Howard"... the one who keeps us all straight... whose heart is torn between two boys on the team... who has to think about too many things at once with both her babies out there... and keep me straight on where I'm supposed to be!
I'm so thankful to be a part of this village of boys... and these boys we do life with... their families will always be special... their families will always be a part of our lives... and these boys will always be low scorers in my book!
What a great day it's been.... the only thing missing was Butch saying, "Why the h3LL did you make a triple Boo?"! I may have said it in his place, but I didn't say it out loud... does that count?
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