By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer
garrett@thewoodrufftimes.com
Winning requires skill. Creating a strong culture takes discipline. The Woodruff High School golf team possesses both of those attributes in spades.
During the Wolverines’ celebration after capturing their second Class 3A state championship in two years on May 16, the Woodruff golfers showed why they were not only the class of the state but young men as well.
It takes a lot of hours, resources, and manpower to host the state tournament. As the Wolverines celebrated in the hour following their triumph, they turned their attention to ensuring Woodruff’s Three Pines Country Club was left in immaculate condition following the event. With 56 golf carts needing to be stored away, members of the team approached course steward Marion Simmons asking if they could help.
A small gesture, but one that impressed Marion.”Golf has always been a game of sportsmanship, but to see young guys go above and beyond was really something,” said Simmons. “And this is not the first time they have done something like this. This has happened more than one time with these kids. I see them out here hitting balls, and they are very polite and have always done little things to help us out. There is great leadership with this golf team.
“Woodruff coach Bill Brasington has always taught his team to go above and beyond. It shows on the course where the Wolverines dominate, but also off it where they demonstrate acts of kindness that go above and beyond. Brasington sees it as the trademark of a successful program.
“At the beginning of each year we talk as a team about goals and our team culture. We talk about team development, being a team, bonding, support for each other, being positive, effort, practice with purpose, staying focused on the course, and every shot matters,” he explained. “Personal improvement, being honest and honest with yourself on where you are, and asking for help. Sportsmanship versus winning, understanding that this is a competition, we want to win, but it is not at all cost. We want to win because we played well and not because others played poorly.
“He continued, “The evening of the state championship, all 56 golf carts were left out. Marion didn’t need to be there for hours putting up carts. He has always been so supportive of the team, so the guys chipped in, no pun intended, to get the carts put up.”For members of the team, they added that providing help when and where it is needed is just a part of who they are, and it is yet another bonding experience that makes them successful.
“Coach Brasington has taught us the most important thing in life is having manners and a great attitude about everything,” said senior Ben McKinney. “Our team is all about serving others. God calls us to serve others, and Coach Brasington and the team all believe that is the most important aspect. Coach (Ryan) Thomas, our strength coach, has told us from the beginning of the year, ‘Serve others, and (God) will fill you up.’ We, the team, are firm believers in that.
“Fellow senior Kyle Smoak echoes McKinney’s sentiments.
“There has always been a great sense of camaraderie among the team as well as our coach putting an emphasis on enjoying the season and taking it all in. We always like to show appreciation for everything the golf course does for us.”
So, in the hours following their highest accomplishment, there was the Woodruff golf team together, driving dozens of golf carts to their storage areas, one by one. What would have taken Mr. Simmons hours took less than one with the Wolverines’ help. As meaningful a gesture as it was, the team was not done. Brasington had his team back at Three Pines the next day.
“Thursday after winning the state championship, the guys were back at Three Pines putting sand in divots all over the course, just a small token of appreciation for the support of the club and its members,” he said.
Sometimes it is the small things that are the most impactful. Smoak added that working on those small chores is something that resonates with him and his teammates, memories that will last a lifetime as they move on to the next chapter in their lives after high school.
“Apart from taking care of things we use, like range baskets and sanding divots, Coach Brasington has us take a practice each year and sand divots on the whole course or fix ball marks on the greens,” said Smoak. “These are often some of our favorite practices as everyone enjoys hanging out while we work.”
For McKinney, helping return the golf carts was also one last moment he got to share with his teammates. With the final moments of his high school career, sharing that job with his friends was a moment in time that could never be replaced.
“The team working together putting the carts up was one last time we got to work together as a team,” McKinney said. “We worked together one last time to help Three Pines. It was a great moment to ride to the car shed, knowing we were helping others as well as giving us time to think about what we had just accomplished. We didn’t want the day to end, and hanging around after the win included doing something for the course and the workers there. They gave us a great course to play on, and it’s the least we could do for them.
“It was a moment that nobody who is a part of the Woodruff golf team will ever forget. Neither will Marion Simmons.
“It really touched me,” he said. “Here I am, an old man, and they were thinking about us enough that they said we are going to take these carts down. Just touching to see what they did, and I am thankful. After winning a state championship, the last thing I thought that would be on their minds was to take those golf carts down, but I go down there, and they are all parked. I just hope we can carry on that tradition of helping others.”
Author: Tracy Sanders
