Van Buren Golf Coach Tyler Sapp Staying Positive Despite Losing Six Seniors

Being a first-year head coach is difficult, no matter what sport you’re coaching. The job gets even more demanding when you are faced with replacing six seniors. That is exactly the situation first-year golf coach Tyler Sapp is facing at Van Buren High School this year.

While he has primarily served as the girls basketball coach, Sapp has added the responsibility of coaching and building the golf program at VBHS. His role hasn’t been made easy however, as he will have to replace a wealth of talent and experience from last year’s squad.

“We’re bringing back one kid that went to Regions last year, and there were six seniors who graduated,” Sapp said. “We’re trying to get back to the Region.”

Another challenge facing Sapp is building the interest in the program. While last year’s team was one of the biggest in recent memory, the departures have left the cupboard a little bare and in need of new faces.

“Just getting the kids interested,” Sapp said about his biggest challenge. “It’s just trying get the kids interested and trying to get more kids to come out at a younger level … I’ve got two boys that are my top guys that should be trying to go to Region. Right now, I’m not sure if I’m going to have enough for a girls team or not.”

The team won’t be starting with nothing, as Jacob Guy and Alex Cope both figure to be key contributors to VBHS this season. As it will be a young team however, Sapp has been quick to preach patience and the idea of simply being better today than you were yesterday.

“Just be patient, results take time,” Sapp said. “(I want) the kids to be calm and relaxed, and to know that if they hit a bad shot, to just re-focus and known that you’re next one will be better … I want to get better everyday and just grow.”