With warmer temperatures and fresh spring beginnings, South’s boys golf team brings a new but familiar head coach on the course for the upcoming season after spring break. 

Darin Woodley had previously acted as an assistant coach until head coach Dustin Carver resigned to become assistant principal. Seeing it as a good transition from Carver, Woodley accepted the head coaching role.

As the new head coach, Woodley anticipates following Carver’s methods and advice from his career to win sectionals, conference, regionals, and go to state in mid-June. One tradition Woodley plans on continuing is their overnight trips to tournaments that Carver started because of their extensive trips across state. The team leaves on Friday, practices on the course, goes to dinner, and then competes the following day. Carver noted that these trips are “an important piece of the success of the program.”

Not only do the players survey the course before playing, but according to sophomore Owen Wisely, “staying with your buddies and knowing your team [better] helps with team chemistry and playing well together.” 

As the team shifts with seniors leaving, Woodley foresees three rising players to fill some of the top five varsity positions. These positions will determine the brackets in which the players will play against other schools and compete for the lowest score. 

Junior Colton Watson played in the three spot last year, and junior Carson Gady in the five spot. Woodley noted that he sees Watson and Gady competing for the one or two spot, and although Gady is currently injured, Woodley noted that “he’ll be determined to get back.”

“Some guys have had to kind of elevate up because of the lost seniors,” Woodley stated, “but so far, they’ve all played really well, honestly all one through five.”

Woodley expects the season to be challenging as he navigates the shift from being a friend to taking on the role of head coach for the team.

However, Watson reflected on his past experiences in the team with both coaches. “I knew Carver for the first two years, but I’ve known Darin for a while, and he was great last year…and so this year, I think he’s gonna make a great coach.”

Passing the putter to Woodley, Carver looks forward to “what he can do and what the boys can do for him.”