By Kyle LoJacono
Eyes follow Jimmy Stanger whenever he walks on a golf course.
His Gaither teammates look to him for leadership. Opponents watch to see if he will ever make a mistake on the links. Spectators gaze in amazement at how he navigates a golf course.
Stanger is home schooled but has been on the Gaither boys golf team for the last two years. The junior has been golfing for as long as he can remember, starting around age 5.
“I’ve played pretty much every sport competitively, but now I’m focused on golf,” Stanger said. “Honestly there is no feeling like hitting a golf ball. Also, being out on a golf course just gives me peace.”
Stanger has “peace” on the course, but he is not satisfied with his game.
“I totally rerouted my swing after last year to try and make it more consistent,” Stanger said. “It really started to come around this summer. … Compared to last year I’m a completely different golfer. A year ago if I shot a good round it felt like I got lucky. Now I feel like I can go low every time, and if I don’t it’s not because I hit the ball out of bounds.”
The change has helped Stanger bring his average down to just below 36, which is par for the regular season. He shot a career-low 33 on Oct. 10 in a tri-match against Plant and Newsome.
Cowboys coach Dwayne Olinger said Stanger’s ability to hit fairways and greens has become his greatest strength.
“He’s extremely accurate,” Olinger said. “You try to explain to the young players how important that is. Sometimes they think about the score and not the process. Jimmy thinks about hitting fairways and greens, and that’s why he can make par or under on any hole.”
Stanger’s methods have become an example for his teammates.
“He takes the right approach to the game and plays the way you should,” said sophomore Patrick Highland. “He’s serious every time and plays his heart out. You see a kid play like that and shoots as well as he does, you can’t help but want to be like him.”
Junior Clyde Meadows added, “There have been many times when he’s come up to me and said try this. I try it, and it always works. I’m just like son of a gun; thank you Jimmy.”
Stanger was Gaither’s No. 1 last year, but he has also had to step up his leadership role after the squad lost four seniors to graduation, including members of the squad’s top five Josh Black and Shawn Sirignano.
Stanger said he hasn’t tried to be a loud, vocal leader because that is not within his personality.
“I’ve actually tried to be quieter and lead by example,” Stanger said. “Just talk when I’m needed and focus the rest of the time.”
The squad is very young, making Stanger’s leadership that much more important.
“We only have two seniors on the roster and only one has gotten into a match, so because we’re so young having a guy like Jimmy is even more important,” Olinger said.
“He is unquestionably a leader,” Olinger continued. “Not only is he a great player, so everyone on a team would look up to a player with his ability, but he has a good way of dealing with people and leading by example.”
Meadows said Stanger is one of the most serious people he has met.
“A couple days ago we had a tournament rained out, and everyone was just hanging out, and Stanger was off in the corner talking to his dad about his swing,” Meadows said. “He’s very dedicated to this game. He’s never satisfied with what he shoots. He’ll shoot a two-under, but he’ll still be mad about a couple birdie shots he missed. It amazes me sometimes.”
Meadows admits it isn’t always easy being on a team with a player like Stanger.
“I love the guy, but it is very easy to get jealous of him,” Meadows said. “You’re always comparing yourself to Jimmy Stanger, and you’re never as good. Oh I shot a 39, but Jimmy shot 34.”
Stanger and the Gaither squad played in the Class 2A-District 9 tournament on Monday, Oct. 17 at Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club, but results were not available by press time.
