Boys golf

Altoona boys golf looks for more than just wins in ’26

High school boys golf

Winning a District 5 or 6 championship is the goal most often listed by area teams going into seasons no matter what sport they play.

But sometimes, the true goals are much more attainable and sustainable.

The Altoona Area High School boys golf team likely will not win a District 6 Class 3A team championship this year. It's not because the team isn't talented. It's because State College has one of, if not the best, team in the state and one of the best and deepest in District 6 history.

That's why matches like Altoona's 326-370 win over Mifflin County Tuesday at Park Hills Golf Club have a much wider focus.

"Winning these matches is honestly really a secondary goal," Altoona boys golf coach Chuck Meyers said. "We're trying to grow the Altoona high school program. We're trying to have fun, learn the rules and have an enjoyable experience. We want to get more kids out for the team and continue to build on having almost 20 kids out the past two seasons."

One of the new players is Ryan Aiken, the current No. 1 golfer for the Mountain Lions, who joined the team after previously playing football. Aiken shot 81 on Tuesday, just behind Brandt Hite's medalist score of 78.

"Football you can play until you're 35 or 40 at best if you don't get injured," Aiken said. "But golf, you can play until you are 75 or 80 years old. That's a big perk of playing golf. I have played most of my life, and it's fun. You come out and get to play with your friends and have a good time."

Meyers said while having fun is one of the team's main priorities, he also wants to show the kids how the sport of golf can open doors in life.

"You don't know the opportunities that golf can unlock for you," Meyers said. "You'll meet people playing golf in business, no matter what line of work you get into. You can network, make new friends and if you know another golfer, you have something in common that you can relate to and always have something to talk about."

On Monday, Meyers took his team to the Wildcat Invitational at Latrobe Country Club, the home course of Arnold Palmer. Altoona got a chance to see plenty of Palmer's memorabilia and play the course the golfing legend played.

"It was a great course, and it's a private country club," said Altoona senior Reese Hite, who also shot 81 on Tuesday. "To get a chance to play there was nice, because you're probably not going to get to play there again. The course was in great shape, but it was definitely tough."

Hite has made major strides on the links in his time with Altoona.

"I started taking it seriously freshman year," Hite said. "I had an average of about 100. Now it's around 80 or the high 70s. I took a big jump from freshman to sophomore year, but after that I slowed down a little bit."

After the initial improvement, golf can turn frustrating even as players become better at it.

"When you're shooting 100, there's a lot of room for improvement," Hite said. "You can make a big jump. Once you get into the high 70s, it's hard to make improvements, because you have to pick apart the little things to get better."

Many of State College's players were able to make that leap, with the top 10 players all capable of shooting under par.

"In 3A, there's only one team that goes," Meyers said. "It's really hard for us to get past State College. They are extremely good this year, but we have fun with it. We celebrate the little things and laugh, and the kids will remember that much longer than who won or lost."

Altoona will instead focus on getting something out of each experience.

"I'd like to stay No. 1 as long as I can and advance to districts through sectionals," Aiken said. "Throughout the years, I have improved my short game. To get even better, I'll have to work on 50 yards and in. That can make me a better golfer."

For Hite, the game has become more mental than physical as he tries to reach lower scores and a new level of play.

"My family got into it, but it's a great sport that makes you work mentally," Hite said. "It's 80 percent mental and 20 percent physical. I think it's great for business too. It's a sport you can play your whole life, and you'll meet a lot of new people."

ALTOONA (326): B. Hite 78, Aiken 81, R. Hite 81, Riccio 86.

MIFFLIN COUNTY (370): Breon 83, Bubb 94, Krepps 96, Zook 97.