Carbondale Community High School may not be known for its golf program, but the boys team really made a name for themselves this season. They obtained their first conference championship in over 20 years, something the team had been working towards all season. They also proved that golf is more than just a game, showing true camaraderie towards each other.

Cole Roberts, number one golfer on the team and team captain, received all-conference honors placing third overall while leading his team to a conference championship. Roberts is a four year member of the golf team, and practices nearly four hours a day. With all the work he puts in, he still prefers that the team do well instead of himself.

“Being able to win conference was definitely my favorite achievement of my golf career,” Roberts said. “Not because I played good, but because everyone was able to play good and we were able to put a day together that will go down in Carbondale Athletics history. It’s especially exciting seeing how far we’ve come from my first year to now being able to win the conference championship.” 

Wendell Wheeler, head coach for five years, was very satisfied with the conference title. He knew his team deserved it for all the work they had put in and the people they had become. Though he was proud of this accomplishment, he was more proud of the way the team had come together and grown personally. He says there was potential for an individual to win himself, but “no, it was US”, and that, along with good character, was more important to him than an individual win. Wheeler knows the team wants to do well not for themselves, but for each other.

“When guys are not playing or they’re hurt, they were still there supporting and walking with guys, and you just don’t see that with the other teams we play…” Wheeler said. “You might be a talented golfer, I guess, but to be really good, you have to be a great person. You have to have service leadership to your family, and your golf guys are your family.”