Seniors obtain four consecutive League Championships
Roseth and Zaentz finish high school golf career, reflect on accomplishments

By Maddie Yee,
Features Editor
April 27, 2012

After placing first in the West Sequoia League (WSL) for the past four years, the FC golf team secured their fifth year as League Champions, April 24.

While four of the six members on the golf team are new, seniors Jeff Roseth and Tyler Zaentz have participated in golf for all four years. Last year, alumnas Tim Degroot, '11, was the first FC student to obtain the title of League Champion for all four years of his high school career, and this year, Roseth and Zaentz have accomplished the same.

"It was really good and nice to win four years in a row," Roseth said. "Tyler and I couldn't have ended in a better way; it couldn't have been a better finish. It's senior year and we've been playing as well as we can as a team."

According to coach, Jeff Hopper, he believes that leading a team relies on the talent of the players who participate.

"Coaching golf has much to do with the talent that shows up on your doorstep, and we received a coach's dream gift when Tyler and Jeff came along," Hopper said. "They have been all-league players all four seasons and have now won, or shared, the invididual championship three times (Tyler in 2010, Jeff in 2011 and co-champions this year)."

Hopper also believes that the strength of the team is balanced between competitive effort and perspective that there is more to life than wins and losses. Despite off days in the sport, Hopper is confident that God will always lift people up.

"Bad days in golf (or any sport) are never fun," Hopper said. "But when we step back and look around at the troubles some of our friends or others in the news are facing, we really don't have bad days. That shakes you in a hurry and gets you back in the right frame of mind. God is good. He really does lift us up when we are down."


Winning league did not come as a surprise, according to Zaentz. Now that they have secured their title once again, Zaentz looks towards the area tournament.

"We expected to win league," Zaentz said. "We've dominated this league for four years and I've just been looking ahead to the area tournament next week. Playing 18 holes, the guys can't pick up, so I'm excited to see how they're going to respond to that, if they can rise to the challenge or not. It's a big day because it determines whether Jeff and I go to the valley championship individually."

Due to Roseth and Zaentz playing under the coaching of Hopper for all four years, both have been able to build a relationship with Hopper and appreciate him both as a coach and person.

"Coach Hopper has been great," Zaentz said. "There's really not anything I can say to put into words how much I appreciate everything he's done. It's been a perfect balance of him helping me but not being too aggressive. We've had some great conversations in the car, not just about golf but about life. He's someone I can really look up to and I'm glad he was our coach."

Similar to Zaentz, Roseth views Hopper as a role model and mentor.

"It's been fun and we make different memories every year," Roseth said. "I love Coach Hopper. He's a great coach, a great guy and a great mentor; he's more than a coach."

Along with the enjoyment both seniors have had growing closer to their coach, Hopper also has appreciated the ease and joy he has when coaching them.

"When you get two players on your team like these guys, coaching is easy and enjoyable," Hopper said. "And because they are committed to their academics as well and are great friends of each other, the whole experience has been a joy to watch and participate in with them."

While winning straight League Championships is satisfying, Hopper finds fulfillment in the golf program as a whole.

"Winning the consecutive championships, for me, mostly means I was in the right place at the right time," Hopper said. "But what satisfies me about it is that when people--especially students and potential students--come into the gym and see those championships on the banner, they just might say to themselves, 'That's a winning program. Maybe I can be a part of that.'"

Also the father of alumas Carson Hopper, '08, Daniel, '10, and current senior Josh, Hopper believes that FC has provided not only his sons with meaningful experiences, but also allows students to learn more about belonging to Jesus.

"FC has been a great school for my three sons; I have every hope that it can be a great place for many other people's sons and daughters," Hopper said. "Sports is only a part of that, but it is a part that just might lead a student to come to FC and find out the most important thing we teach: that Jesus lives and makes a difference in those whose hearts belong to him."



Tweet