On August 11, the sound of whooshing golf clubs and flying golf balls filled Diversey driving range as the boys golf team began their pre-season practices. The program had an extremely successful season last year, with the team qualifying for state and multiple athletes succeeding at state-wide competitions. According to varsity golf coach Victoria Lee, the team plans on continuing their success.
“This is our second year that we qualified for state, ” Lee said. “It has a lot to do, I think, with getting coaches that can help the kids, with the kids playing off season as well, so that they’re ready for the season.”
Captains and players are equally proud of the team, especially after having two successful seasons in a row. Member of the varsity golf team junior Evan O’Connor laid out the traits that he thinks led to the team’s ultimate success. “I think it was a mix of talent, hard work, and attitude,” O’Connor said. “We had skilled players, but more importantly, everyone bought into the same goal—to get better, together. More importantly, we all genuinely enjoyed spending time together, and that chemistry translated to the course.”
While the whole team had a successful season, one golfer in particular made his mark at the state tournament. Varsity golf captain Max Satterfield shot a 74 and 76 at state, placing seventeenth out of the over 100 in the 2A division. “My goal for the season was to make it to state. And so I think, you know, once we made it to state, my goal was just for everyone to try and do the best they can,” Satterfield said. “Unfortunately, we missed out on [state] by a few strokes, but I’m really proud of how everyone played.”
Not only was the team successful at state, they also played well the entire season. “The highlight was Eli shooting 77 at sectionals,” Satterfield said. “You know, that’s basically why we made it to state. He really stepped up. He played the best round of his life under that much pressure, which is great. [He’s] the reason why we made it so far,” Satterfield said.
As a captain, however, Satterfield has to balance his individual goals with the team’s goals and ensure that the entire team is as successful as possible. “Golf is an individual sport within a team sport. So my goal is always for the team to win, but on some level, it’s out of my control. I focus every time I go out there to just play the best I can, because I know if I play the best I can, it’ll give the team the best possible chance to do well,” Satterfield said.
While golfers and coaches continue to celebrate the team’s success in the 2025 season, the golf team is looking ahead. They are actively planning a way to carry this year’s success into future seasons. “We’re going to have our golf pro work with our JV blue and our varsity team to help them with their short game because the short game is where you score. Also, having two in-house coaches really helps the culture and the climate of the team,” Lee said. “No matter what you do, you need a good feeder program. So the fact that we have our JV white, and we’re really developing our JV white to be a feeder program.”
O’Connor agrees and said he has “similar hopes for maximizing the success of the golf team in any way” he can. “My hope is that we stay close as a team and keep the same energy that’s made us so successful. I’d love for us to bring home a conference or sectional title next season,” O’Connor said.
With similar hopes for the future of the teams, Satterfield shared what he hopes to see the golf team continue to thrive after he graduates. However, with the loss of the senior class, difficulties may lie ahead for the team.“They got it,” Satterfield said. “A lot of people on the team are working during the offseason to try and get better. So they just have to continue to grind.”
Seniors were an integral part of the success of the boys golf team this year. “The seniors meant a lot to me personally because I’ve been looking up to them since my freshman year,” O’Connor said. “They helped shape the culture of our team—they made it fun but also kept us focused. I think their legacy will last because of the team bond that we have formed due to their leadership.”
Lee agrees, and hopes that “the seniors will be remembered as amazing golfers, team mates, and more.”
“ Positive. These seniors will definitely have a positive legacy on the team.”
