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Jul. 17—At its core, golf is an individual sport — one that must be mastered through a combination of private lessons, personalized fundamental drills and a dedicated commitment to lengthy, solitary practice work on the putting green and driving range.
But maybe that insular training environment is what makes the intensity and camaraderie of team golf so special. It's an opportunity for golfers to bond together as a group toward a common goal — and reap the benefits when that chase is realized.
And at Kettering Alter, the benefits — both in trophies and lifelong friendships — have been flowing freely since Alex Schuster took over as the school's head boys coach 12 years ago.
The Knights have become one of the undisputed prep links kings in Ohio and will be seeking their fifth consecutive Division II team state championship this fall.
Great players have come and gone at AHS, but the dynasty remains as Schuster and company seem to reload with ease each time a lofty graduation class departs.
We've been fortunate because we continue to have good kids coming in," Schuster said. "Those younger guys — they look at what our older guys are doing, and they want to be like that. We also have a lot of interest in the program — we have two varsity teams and one junior varsity teams, so it gives a lot of kids the chance to go out there, play and continue to develop."
And while talent is undoubtedly the foundation of any championship program, regardless of sport, there are other key intangibles at play at Alter, which usually boasts 70-75 golfers each year spread out over the three squads.
"People think we win just because we have great players," said AHS' Tommy Priefer. "But it's more than that. We support each other. When one of us is having a bad round, we know one of our teammates will be there to back us up."
Said senior Jaksen Botkin: "The way Alter golf is — it's more like a family. Coach Schuster elaborates on that a lot. We are there for each other to help keep our confidence up and play better. Being a part of a team makes you want to be better."
Botkin and Priefer are currently two of several AHS performers working hard on the course this summer in hopes of gaining a prestigious top-five spot on the Knights' top varsity roster.
Alter returns just two of that group from last Spring, but they are good ones — seniors Miles Hein and Matthew Kreusch, the latter a University of Dayton commit who was the 2024 OHSAA Division II State Individual Co-Champion.
Beyond that, rotation spots are up for grabs as the Knights will seek an unprecedented 'Drive For Five' this fall under Schuster's direction.
To prepare for that potential journey, Alter's players have been busy on the course this Summer. Schuster has several team rounds scheduled every week, one of which took place Thursday, July 16 at PipeStone Golf Club.
"This is a chance for kids to get better and work toward gaining one of those (playing spots)," Schuster said. "One of the things I've liked the most is seeing how many freshmen we have out here. We definitely have a good group of ninth-graders coming in."
For Schuster, one of the biggest challenges about his job is helping players manage the mental side of the game, mainly through support, encouragement and maybe a tiny hint of strategy advice.
And when it comes to freshmen, Schuster needs to effectively manage the juggling act of helping newcomers understand the expectations and tradition of the program — without being intimidated by it.
"It can be difficult for a freshmen to come in and not be overwhelmed a bit," Schuster said. "A lot of these kids have really good games, but they just don't have the physical strength yet to be able to hit the ball with our older kids. We try to guide them along — they are going to get there."
Said Botkin: "There's always some pressure there. There is obviously a huge standard that guys before us set. But as long as you put the work in and try your best — that's really all you can do."
Schuster has his group scheduled for over 20 events in 2026, and the Knights, as usual, will be criss-crossing Ohio with the hope of being prepared for the state championships.
"We try to go and play everywhere," Schuster said. "You want your kids to go out there and face good competition on good golf courses. Plus, I think the kids really enjoy going to different courses — some of the best in the state. Traveling like that also helps bond the team — they have a lot of fun together.
You hope as a coach that your team will be ready (for state). But I try not to have that championship or bust mentality. Sure, you want to win, but you never really know what else is out there. Another team might be better than us on that day."
Continue reading...
But maybe that insular training environment is what makes the intensity and camaraderie of team golf so special. It's an opportunity for golfers to bond together as a group toward a common goal — and reap the benefits when that chase is realized.
And at Kettering Alter, the benefits — both in trophies and lifelong friendships — have been flowing freely since Alex Schuster took over as the school's head boys coach 12 years ago.
The Knights have become one of the undisputed prep links kings in Ohio and will be seeking their fifth consecutive Division II team state championship this fall.
Great players have come and gone at AHS, but the dynasty remains as Schuster and company seem to reload with ease each time a lofty graduation class departs.
We've been fortunate because we continue to have good kids coming in," Schuster said. "Those younger guys — they look at what our older guys are doing, and they want to be like that. We also have a lot of interest in the program — we have two varsity teams and one junior varsity teams, so it gives a lot of kids the chance to go out there, play and continue to develop."
And while talent is undoubtedly the foundation of any championship program, regardless of sport, there are other key intangibles at play at Alter, which usually boasts 70-75 golfers each year spread out over the three squads.
"People think we win just because we have great players," said AHS' Tommy Priefer. "But it's more than that. We support each other. When one of us is having a bad round, we know one of our teammates will be there to back us up."
Said senior Jaksen Botkin: "The way Alter golf is — it's more like a family. Coach Schuster elaborates on that a lot. We are there for each other to help keep our confidence up and play better. Being a part of a team makes you want to be better."
Botkin and Priefer are currently two of several AHS performers working hard on the course this summer in hopes of gaining a prestigious top-five spot on the Knights' top varsity roster.
Alter returns just two of that group from last Spring, but they are good ones — seniors Miles Hein and Matthew Kreusch, the latter a University of Dayton commit who was the 2024 OHSAA Division II State Individual Co-Champion.
Beyond that, rotation spots are up for grabs as the Knights will seek an unprecedented 'Drive For Five' this fall under Schuster's direction.
To prepare for that potential journey, Alter's players have been busy on the course this Summer. Schuster has several team rounds scheduled every week, one of which took place Thursday, July 16 at PipeStone Golf Club.
"This is a chance for kids to get better and work toward gaining one of those (playing spots)," Schuster said. "One of the things I've liked the most is seeing how many freshmen we have out here. We definitely have a good group of ninth-graders coming in."
For Schuster, one of the biggest challenges about his job is helping players manage the mental side of the game, mainly through support, encouragement and maybe a tiny hint of strategy advice.
And when it comes to freshmen, Schuster needs to effectively manage the juggling act of helping newcomers understand the expectations and tradition of the program — without being intimidated by it.
"It can be difficult for a freshmen to come in and not be overwhelmed a bit," Schuster said. "A lot of these kids have really good games, but they just don't have the physical strength yet to be able to hit the ball with our older kids. We try to guide them along — they are going to get there."
Said Botkin: "There's always some pressure there. There is obviously a huge standard that guys before us set. But as long as you put the work in and try your best — that's really all you can do."
Schuster has his group scheduled for over 20 events in 2026, and the Knights, as usual, will be criss-crossing Ohio with the hope of being prepared for the state championships.
"We try to go and play everywhere," Schuster said. "You want your kids to go out there and face good competition on good golf courses. Plus, I think the kids really enjoy going to different courses — some of the best in the state. Traveling like that also helps bond the team — they have a lot of fun together.
You hope as a coach that your team will be ready (for state). But I try not to have that championship or bust mentality. Sure, you want to win, but you never really know what else is out there. Another team might be better than us on that day."
Continue reading...
