Team led by new head coach Jeff Furst
The Sedona Red Rock High School varsity golf team’s season teed off Feb. 25 at Agave Highlands Golf Course in Cornville. It had another match on Tuesday, March 3, after press time, ahead of their home opener at Seven Canyons, its new home course, on Wednesday, March 4, at 2:30 p.m.
“They’re eager,” head coach Jeff Furst said. “They have a great attitude, they want to learn, they want to succeed and they’re looking forward to the season. Some are returning from last year, the rest are new to the Red Rock team — some learning golf for the very first time. It’s an opportunity for all of us. For me to learn from them, and them to learn from me.”
Furst said what he loves about the game and what he hopes to instill into the players is that it can be a lifelong pursuit.
“I don’t know another sport you can still play at 75 or 80 years old,” he said. “The contacts and networking you make through golf throughout your life are endless.”
But it can be an expensive proposition he admits, fortunately he said he was able to secure several donations of gently used clubs to provide the players as a “pay it forward,” to the younger generation and he currently doesn’t have any major material needs for the program.
Back on the links this season is Lily Williams, senior before she enrolls at Arizona State University in the fall to study business finance.
“I think it’s probably one of the best groups we’ve had,” Williams said. “We all get along really well and everybody seems like they actually want to be here and learn something. My goal this season is to get my score lower. Last year, I was shooting roughly 58, 60 for nine holes.”
Also returning this season are sophomores Lenny Vandermast and Cardin Le.
“I came back because I thought it’d be fun — and honestly, that’s the team’s biggest strength. I had never played before my freshman year, so I improved across the board, but I especially love driving,” Vandermast said.
“My long distance is pretty good, but when I get to the short end I kind of tend to mess up, so I want to work on that,” Le said. “Last year I was shooting low 60s, high 50s, so I’d like to bring that down to high 40s if I can, but low 50s is my goal for this season.”
Clark Ortega a senior is a new face on the team.
“I’m homeschooled right now, so I’m not actually going to the school, but I wanted to get out, meet people and have some fun,” Ortega said. He added he will likely be studying business or finance. “I hope to lock in my drive and make it more consistent. I’m shooting around 280, 300 yards, give or take.”
Also new to the team is senior Lucas Bowers, who joined at the encouragement of a friend and a shared love of the game with his dad.
“I’m going to be going to college,” Bowers said. “Not sure if I’m going to take a gap year or not — if I do, I’ll just be saving up money and keeping up with my hobbies, like playing guitar. I’ll probably study marketing or advertising.”
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Sedona Red Rock High School Varsity Golf Roster
■ Lucas Bowers
■ Ruben Cruz
■ Quannah Frakes
■ Cardin Le
■ Luke Metzger
■ Clark Ortega
■ Lenny Vandermast
■ Isaiah Whitlock
■ Lily Williams
■ Head Coach: Jeff Furst
■ Assistant Coach: Brad Andrews
