Hampton boys golf team welcomes new look

By: John Grupp
Saturday, August 10, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Hampton first-year golf coach Terry Hales has much in common with his golfers this season.

Almost all of them are new to the Talbots.

Hales, who replaced longtime coach Bruce Steckel, inherits a roster that returns only one golfer from a 5-11 team.

“I’m just really excited and looking forward to the opportunity to work with the kids,” said Hales, whose most recent coaching job was as an assistant boys lacrosse coach at Hampton three years ago. “I have a lot of experience working with kids, and this should be no different.”

Hales, 36, an English/social studies teacher at Hampton, is an “avid golfer” who also caddies. He worked as a caddy earlier this month at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open at Fox Chapel Golf Club. Hales was hired last spring after Steckel stepped down following 11 seasons. Hampton reached the WPIAL playoffs in each of Steckel’s first seven seasons (2013-19), but missed each of the past four years.

Senior Tyler Schmitt, a 2023 WPIAL individual qualifier and the lone returnee from last year’s nine-man roster, gives good grades to his new coach.

“He knows a lot about golf,” Schmitt said. “He said he wants to teach us a lot, and he’s going to make it fun.

“I had him for first period (English) and he came up to me and said, ‘Did you hear who the new golf coach is?’ I said, ‘No.’ And he said, ‘Well, it’s me.’ I was excited to hear that. Mr. Hales is a good guy.”

Joining Schmitt on the roster are a handful of newcomers who played junior varsity last season, including sophomore Jack Ryan, junior Zane List and seniors Brady Smith and Justin Dubee.

“Quite a few of the guys who were on JV last year are obviously going to have to step up,” Hales said. “We’re not bringing in a ton of varsity experience, but we’ve got some good golfers and I think we will be competitive. I’m optimistic.

“Jack (Ryan) is a really good player. He’s really promising. I think he’s going to be a pretty meaningful contributor this year.”

Schmitt will be the leader. He averaged 39 strokes per nine holes last season and reached the WPIAL individual boys golf tournament for the first time. He shot 16-over 88 in the opening round and failed to advance.

“I definitely have to be more of a leader, especially for the young guys, and be a good role model,” Schmitt said. “I need to set the tone and make it exciting and fun to be there, and at the same time, try to win as many matches as possible.”

Said Hales, “Ty has a great golf game. He’s really committed to the sport and I’m excited to see what he can do this year. It feels like he could push something pretty great this year.”

Hampton, which plays home matches at Wildwood Golf Club, will compete in Section 7-3A along with Ambridge, Fox Chapel, Highlands, North Hills and Shaler. The top two finishers advance to the WPIAL playoffs.

Among the Talbots’ nonsection opponents are Pine-Richland (in the Aug. 9 season opener) and former section foes North Catholic and Shady Side Academy.

“I would like to see us be competitive in the section,” Hales said. “A lot of our guys don’t have varsity match experience, but if they can overcome that and believe in themselves, the games should be there for us to be competitive this year.”

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