The Wayne County Golf Team just completed the most successful season in school history, placing seventh overall at state competition. Veteran player Reese Sexton led the team as he tied for fourth place individually at the Kentucky High School State Golf Tournament held October 10-12 in Bowling Green.
The team played in a lot of tough tournaments this season, but
managed to place a lot, shooting some really good scores.
Five exceptional young men have embraced Wayne County's golf
program, which has given them a lifelong sport to play. Senior Reese
Sexton played really well, shooting a 72 and 73 in the state
tournament. He and his teammates—senior Kameron Gehring, sophomore
Gage Gregory, sophomore Gehrig Sexton, and sophomore Aaron Hesse—did
an awesome job raising the bar for future high school golf teams.
"These five young men have accomplished great things in five years,"
said Coach Stewart Gregory. He listed the following accomplishments:
a middle school state individual champion, Kentucky State Junior
Amateur Winner, three Region Titles, one Region Runner-up, two Top 10
State Finishes, two time individual Region 10 winner, two individual
state qualifiers, and 12 invitational tournament titles.
"As a coach and parent this group has been a joy to coach. We have
traveled all over the state and had a lot of fun on and off the golf
course. Best of luck to our seniors as they continue their education
and sports. The players coming back will be trying to continue on
with more accomplishments. Thanks for the memories," said Coach Gregory.
Even though it was a great honor to have finished the season at such
a high level, it was bittersweet for seniors Reese Sexton and Kameron
Gehring. Both golfers have represented their school well on the
course, while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average in the classroom.
"Walking off the last hole, realizing you are done and your high
school golf career is over. It causes you to pause, as you are
shaking hands and getting hugs from those around you," said 19-year-
old Reese Sexton, who has been competing on the high school team
since fourth grade. His remarkable dedication to the sport probably
began the first time he picked up a club at age two and started
playing the game at four-years-old.
Today, athletes cannot begin to play varsity sports until they are
in seventh grade, so Sexton was in a unique position to get lots of
competitive experience over the years to fine-tune his skills. That
experience and hard work has paid off because he has already
committed to Eastern Kentucky University on a golf scholarship, so he
will continue to compete over the next four years for the Colonels.
"This has been an unreal experience playing for Wayne County for so
many years," noted Sexton. "It's been a crazy, fun ride. I've really
enjoyed being a Cardinal and I'm going to miss it."
Senior Kameron Gehring agreed, "It was sad to see it come to an
end." He started playing golf his first year in high school and has
enjoyed being on this prestigious team. He was able to rank in the
top 10 individual regional finishes the last three years. He was
proud of the team's efforts this year having won six different
tournaments. "Being able to compete in the state tournament for four
years in a row was amazing."
Golf does not take as much physical strength as other team sports
like football or basketball, according to Sexton. "It is more about
being mentally strong….it's all up in your head. I have had to work
on it for years to get to this point. I could still be better,
because you never stop learning."
"Your goal is always to beat that person that is really good," said
Sexton.
Sexton feels fortunate to have met people from around the world
through golf. "I've met people from California to Alabama, as well as
China to Korea. It's crazy." This past summer he played competitively
on the national level in the USGA Junior Amateur Tournament in
Toledo, Ohio.
"When you are from Monticello, Kentucky, you don't have all the
resources like a kid from say, California. But, you do the best you
can and you surround yourself with your family and supportive people.
You never feel sorry for yourself."
Sexton said he does not have a swing coach like some of the golfers
who travel the private circuit, competing in tournaments across the
country. However, he is very thankful for his teammates, parents,
grandparents, and the Monticello Country Club who have been very
supportive. He also appreciates his school coaches – Stewart Gregory
and Allen Burchett. "Coach Gregory (who has been battling cancer) has
set an example for the rest of us, how to be strong and courageous.
If he cannot give up, we shouldn't either."
"Golf teaches you about life. They call it a gentleman's game," said
Sexton, whose high school record speaks for itself—two time
individual Regional Champion, three time All-State Team member, and
three time All-Region Team member.
Next, Sexton and his teammate Kameron Gehring will compete on the
Cardinal basketball team. They have both played basketball for years
and enjoy it. So, Cardinal sports fans will get to enjoy these
athletes one more season on the ball court starting in December. In
addition, their golf coaches will continue to help them in basketball
in the role as assistant coaches.
In addition, Kameron Gehring will really go the distance and
conclude his Cardinal sports career on the baseball diamond later
this spring, where he makes a significant contribution on the
pitching mound and playing shortstop.
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