As the anticipation mounts and the gentle breeze whispers across the fairway, all eyes converge on the first tee box. For golfers, a moment of both exhilaration and trepidation comes with standing on the first tee of a tournament—the culmination of hours of practice, nerves tautlike finely tuned strings.
Destiny hangs in the balance of a single, pivotal swing. The opening tee shot of the 2023 North Shore Conference Championship is the most nerve-racking moment of his life. All eyes turn as he steps forward, club in hand, ready to embark on a journey that will test both skill and resolve.
Matthew Handal, junior, has been playing golf since he was six years old, but golf hasn’t always been his top priority. He explained, “I started playing golf because everyone in my family played.”
Handal began his golfing career without the aspirations of becoming Homestead’s top golfer. He only became serious about golf during the summer after his freshman year of high school. Handal decided to quit basketball and focus all his energy on bettering himself as a golfer.
Golf is a unique sport that requires many hours invested for sometimes very little return.
It takes a long time, and a lot of practice to become a high-level golfer. Well knowing this, Handal was prepared to do whatever it took to improve.
Handal stated how he “worked with a swing coach, put in countless hours working on my game on the range, chipping and putting.” While the physical elements of golf are key, the mental part of golf is what separates the top players from everybody else. To improve his mental strength on the golf course, Handal recalled, “I read books on the mental side of the game, I’ve
listened to podcasts and watched mental and course management videos.”
Handal’s work has not gone unnoticed. Homestead Boys JV golf coach, Wolfgang Recht, knew of Handal’s potential from the beginning. He explained, “He goes about the game in a way that shows maturity in how he navigates the course. I knew he was going to be a top player for Homestead when I saw him play freshman year.”
Recht was quick to compliment Handal on his dedication to the game of golf and his ability to improve.
“He is always open to feedback and is willing to try anything to see if it improves his game. Matthew’s growth has been driven by his desire to become a great golfer and do whatever it takes to get there.”
While Recht knew that Handal had the potential to become Homestead’s next top golfer, he wasn’t the only one who knew he had a bright future. Joseph Thibert, junior, and teammate of Handal, realized the work ethic that Handal possessed.
Thibert stated, “He is constantly playing golf. All year round either in the simulator, on the range, or out on the course Matthew is always playing golf.” Thibert went on to reiterate the fact that the only way to become a top-tier golfer is to play more golf than everybody else.
Handal’s peers and instructors recognize his dedication to the game of golf and know that is why he has risen to the occasion, and assumed the role of Homestead’s number-one golfer.