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Tuesday, January 1, 2008
One for the Thumb
Greater Reading, PA
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Dedication to Myomissing Golf Dynasty
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“This game is mostly about practice,”
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Berks’ top male and female golfers and golf coach for the year all hail from Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School.
Coincidence? Not according to coach Chris Kersikoski.. “Our team members are extremely dedicated and practice often,” he said. “I can’t take any of the credit. This honor really goes to the team. Many of the students have been playing golf since elementary school. They are all really committed.”
Kersikoski just finished his eighth season as Wyo’s golf coach as the Spartans won their fifth straight BCIAA team golf championship. He has been teaching social studies at the Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School for nine years. Outside the classroom, the 20-year golf player truly enjoys coaching Wyomissing’s golf team. “As a coach, I love the integrity of the sport and being around the kids,” says Kersikoski. “There are no refs nor umpires. The students have to go out and ref themselves, which teaches them honesty and integrity. This is unique for a high school sport.”
Wyomissing seniors Chris Button, 18, and Katherine Restrepo, 17, won the BCIAA boys and girls golf championships. “My family, friends, and coach were all really proud of me,” said Button who plans to play golf in college next year.
“This was a great honor. I put a lot of work in the past few summers, and it paid off,” commented Restrepo who was out last season because of an injury. “It’s really memorable to be the county champion this year and to also have our team win the championship. We are like a golf powerhouse,” she said with a laugh.
Restrepo, the only female golfer on Wyomissing’s team, started playing golf with her dad when she was in fourth grade. “I love hitting the ball,” she said. “And golf is a different game. It’s about your individual performance, and it is all in the mind – a total mental game. It is up to you to decide how you are going to play. Then your individual performance contributes to the whole team.”
“I love playing golf because it takes my mind off everything else,” Button said. “You’re outside, and it’s nice exercise. And you meet a lot of good people.”
Both players and their coach agree that, in order to succeed in golf, dedication is key. “This is not a game you can just pick up,” Kersikoski said. “You have to stick with it and practice a lot. Both Chris and Katherine were determined and had goals this season. They each wanted to win individual championships and our fifth straight team championship, which they achieved.”
“This game is mostly about practice,” said Button, who during the summer plays up to six hours a day. “You have to spend a lot of time playing and take it seriously. I took lessons as I got more serious about the game. It really helped me improve.”
“The earlier you start the better you will be,” Restrepo recommended to future golfers. “In time, the game becomes more natural. And it’s something you can play throughout life.”
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