Swinging with the golf team is a sure way to succeed, on the greens and in school. 

For the past three years, the golf team has not only exhibited highly acclaimed wins but their team have also had high academic success. From the class of 2023, the valedictorian and salutatorian were both active golf teammate. This year, the class of 2026 salutatorian, Ava Schlotterbeck, continues this legacy. Their next tournament is Dec. 2 at the Lost Pines Golf Course where all JHS varsity teams will compete. 

“They take care of business, both in golf and academics,” golf coach David Fambrough said. “They’re really great kids. I’m glad we had them. And I’m glad we have Ava.”

Schlotterbeck not only received A-Honor Roll and perfect attendance the first nine weeks, but has also been admitted to the NASA High School Aerospace Scholars Program, becoming the first student in the district to do so. Natalie Threatt and Lauren Townsend, both top in their class and involved in golf, were an example for Schlotterbeck to follow. 

“I’ve always been real motivated academically, so I feel like I was a little nervous to commit time to golf, because even though I enjoy it, my academics are my priority,” Schlotterbeck said. “So it was really nice to see Lauren and Natalie thriving in their academics and still being able to participate in golf.”

Many students in golf are showing signs of such achievements. According to several, the motivation to keep improving can be clearly seen in both golf and academics. 

“Once you get to a certain point in golf, it’s hard to get a little bit better, so it takes that type of person to look to improve in one stroke,” Fambrough said. “Which when you translate that into the classroom, a 99’s not good enough to these kids that want a 100 in the class.”

The relationship between the two may also be correlated to the common quality of mental discipline. 

“It’s a mental game, so it involves a lot of thinking. It involves a lot of planning,” Fambrough said. “Some of the things that might come from a great student also help them to be really good at golf. The data planning, how you’re gonna play the course, it’s a mental game and I think that it brings itself to that type of person who likes to keep digging, keep finding a way to get better.”

In conjunction to the individual achievements, the golf team as a whole continues to keep winning. On Nov. 6, the golf girls placed 5th.

“Overall, we have a lot of really good kids that are working hard, doing what it takes to get better,” Fambrough said. “I’m really proud of what they’re doing.”