Raiders golf coach Matt Hudlow put it best: “We’re having a good, solid year so far”
The second year head coach of Habersham’s golf program believes that his boys are beginning to play better at the right time, just before next week’s region showdown.
Hudlow sat down for a BLITZ interview to talk about his Raiders team.
“We have region week next Monday,” says Hudlow, “so we want to be playing our best golf then. We’re working that way.”
With only one senior, the Raiders are young, but still in a position to possibly grab a spot to sectionals and maybe the state tournament. Born shot a season low 39 vs Banks County at Hammers Glen.
“Zach [Born] is a calming influence for our guys,” states Hudlow. “He’s very level headed and does a good job of knowing who he is as a golfer and staying within himself.”
Born had some goals in mind entering his senior season.
“One of my main goals was to be a good leader since I’m the only senior,” says Born. “We’re in a pretty good position entering the region tournament, and one of my other goals is to make sectionals. I think we have a pretty good chance if we just play our game.”
Hudlow doesn’t hold back on his feelings toward Born.
“He’s a mature, young man,” says Hudlow of his senior. “He really has come a long way in his golf game. He’s a great person…he’s what you want in a senior leader.”
The Raiders are young, as Hudlow says the sophomore class is pretty big right now, with a middle school feeder program developing some talented golfers. The future looks bright for Habersham Central. Hudlow says of his top three golfers, two are juniors and one is a sophomore [Cooper Roland].
“I’m excited!,” exclaims Hudlow. “We just look every year to get better. We look for [the young guys] to grow. I think we have a lot of talent in the years to come. I’m excited about the future; I think we have a chance to do some good things.”
Playing in Region 6-6A will make it challenging for the Raiders next week, but they stand a chance to advance to sectionals and possibly get to the state tournament. Hudlow believes next year the Raiders will have an even greater chance with the new region re-alignment, combined with his young players continuing to improve.
“I’m excited about the future; I think we have a chance to do some good things.” -Coach Matt Hudlow
Success on the links doesn’t just happen for the Raiders. It takes “practice, effort and repeat” according to Hudlow.
“A lot,” says sophomore Cooper Roland of how much work is required to get your golf game up to par in this region. “You’ve got to go to the range, work on the green and keep practicing.”
Roland and Born (who were both featured in a BLITZ interview) led the Raiders to a season-low 155 against Banks County at Hammers Glen. Roland’s nine-hole average is currently 41.67, while Born’s is 43.83. Roland continues to improve, as he’s shot under 40 in six of his last seven nine-holes.
Next week’s Region Tournament for 6-AAAAAA is Monday, April 18 at Achasta.
