Mustang Golf’s New Attitude on Full Display at Dawson Invitational Golf Tournament

By Jack Wood, DA Class of 2025

To put it simply, the new DA High School Mustangs Golf Team just, “Takes it more seriously,” according to Head Golf Coach Jack Mestas. It comes in response to the carefree ways of the 2023 team. With almost total turnover this year, the Mustangs look to build a more mature, serious, and, most of all, competitive team focused on contending at regionals at CommonGround Golf Course in October.

At the cornerstone of the rebuild for the golf team is the surging Luc S. Now a year older, his coaches say he is almost unrecognizable in terms of his growth and maturity on the golf course. The change in mindset has been reflected in his scores too, shooting an 80 and 88 in the first two tournaments, respectively, earning the Mustangs their first top-10 individual finish in two seasons. Although Luc’s scores ARE objectively good, the sophomore isn’t pleased with them and knows he can do better.

The other major piece of the new core is another sophomore, Teddy P. After a strong performance in the season opener at Homestead Golf Course in Lakewood, finishing with a 91, he continued the run of form with a 99 at Flatirons. (It’s worth mentioning that while Flatirons Golf Course is a championship par-70 course, Homestead Golf Course is a shorter course with a par of 65). 

Both golfers talked about the changes this year, both to their maturity, with Luc saying, “I’m more locked in at practice and not goofing off as much.” They also spoke about their new role on the team with Teddy saying, “With a lot of people leaving last year, I’ve definitely moved into a new spot and am feeling more confident in my role.” 

Both Luc and Teddy have most likely locked up their spots on the team for regionals next month but there is still room for two more players, although it seems that it is less of a question of who will get those spots and more of which spots will they occupy. Junior Roe N. is currently the third-seeded golfer but is the biggest wild card. On any given day, he could shoot from the low 90s to the mid-110s, the latter of which was on display at Flatirons, where he finished with a 109. 

Finally, freshman Cooper E. is the last piece of the puzzle. Even though he primarily fills the back end of the team, the experience of playing postseason golf can be valuable, boosting confidence and an understanding of the pressure that comes with the tournament. The coaching staff sees a lot of potential in Cooper and feels the future is bright for him.

It is night and day the difference between these two teams, and it will be fun to watch them grow as the season progresses. There is a lot of hope for this team, but at the end of the day, golf’s a fickle game, and there is no way to know for sure whether it is going to be a good day or bad until they get on the course.