Sports are a prime source of entertainment, but only a few sports require people to be totally focused, regardless of prior hardships, during a match or tournament. Golf requires players to be mentally focused and to exercise self-control during play. Combining physical and mental strength is a testament to the immense skill golfers possess.
Both the boys’ and girls’ golf teams ended their 2025 seasons with plenty to remember, with some notable moments like Timmy Schaap’s hole-in-one and Grace Salas qualifying for sectionals. Over the course of their 2025 seasons, both teams showed strong teamwork, improvement, and a genuine love for the sport they play.
For the boys, “we were 4-6 in conference and 6-6 overall, which was a big improvement over last season,” said Tim Hough, head coach of boys varsity. “So yes, I was happy with how we played. Our team’s scoring average improved by 10 strokes from last year as well, which led to some of our success.” This season was a marked success for the boys’ golf team, revealing a light of hope on the horizon as the team continues to improve.
This season wasn’t unique simply because of their better performance, but also because of the camaraderie both teams showed throughout. Golf is often viewed as a solo sport, with one person competing and fighting for their own glory, but this is not the case for the GNHS boys’ and girls’ Golf teams. “This is a team that’s grown up together; we see them so closely knit on and off the course, said Tom New, assistant girls golf coach. “It’s really a fun way to see how their support of each other has grown. You’ll find them helping each other with schoolwork and hanging out together. Like, that’s the ultimate goal of high school sports, right? No one’s gonna remember the record unless it’s a monumental season, but you will remember your teammates, and they’ll be your friends for life.” This season, the golf program showcased a strong sense of community that will build year after year and only take them to greater heights as a team. Despite their accolades, no team is perfect.
“We need more consistency, said Scott Ewen, head girls’ golf coach. “They can hit great shots, but they have to hit 4 great shots in a row to make a par. So, the more consistent they get, the better they’ll be. They have the shots, but they have to stream them together.” Lack of consistency is not uncommon. Many athletes in every sport struggle to perfect their technique, often striving for perfection. Golf is a game where absolute perfection does not exist; in fact, it’s the opposite. The goal is not to win through perfection and dominance; it’s to win by making the fewest mistakes possible, hoping it’s fewer than your opponents. A vast majority of seasoned golfers have never hit a hole-in-one. But here at Grayslake North, Schapp has outperformed all of them.
“My hole-in-one this year was amazing, said Schaap. “At first, I didn’t think it went in, then we walked up to the hole and saw it in there, and I could not explain the feeling I had in my body.” Hole-in-ones are a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Something that should be remembered and revered. His achievement quickly became a season highlight for the boys’ golf team, and hopefully a memory for years to come.
While Schaap made a huge memory for the season, he wasn’t the only player who had an impressive highlight. Grace Salas, a junior on varsity, accomplished the goal that she set at the beginning of the season: “I’m really proud of my average and that I qualified for sectionals”, said Salas. Golf Sectionals require a golfer to be the individual best player, or the team must advance as a whole. For Salas to accomplish this, she had to average mid-70s to low 80s in 18 holes and have an overall amazing performance in the regional tournament. “When I qualified for sectionals, everyone watched my playoff and celebrated with me on the bus. It was a great way to end the season,” said Salas.
Many players from both the boys’ and girls’ golf teams made memories this season, but only the most dedicated are looking toward the future, preparing and building for future seasons. Jack Bentley, a sophomore golfer on varsity, is already preparing for the 2026 golf season. “I have to keep playing as much as I did last year, said Bentley. “I’m taking some lessons over this winter to get my swing back on track and starting to look into new equipment. I think most of the team is doing pretty much the same, and I know everyone’s going to try and play as much as they can over the offseason.” Bentley’s dedication reflects a growing mindset within the GNHS golf program. Coaches and players alike are pushing for more offseason practice to ensure the program’s success in future years. Players are shifting away from the notion that the team simply has to compete more to improve, towards the idea that year-round development is necessary to reach the highest level of competitive play.
As the 25-26 golf season came to a close, both teams left the course with memorable moments, achievements, and new ways to grow and improve. With more and more players practicing into the offseason, the future of the Grayslake North golf program looks promising. Each drive, putt, and approach shot shoots the program onward and upward towards future victories.
