Golfing is a Family Affair for the Gilliams
Leading the Great Bridge Wildcats' golf team once again in the number one spot this season is seventeen-year-old senior Ben Gilliam. In 2005, Gilliam proved himself deserving of several accolades, including medalling at the Southeastern District tournament and individually finishing in the top twenty in state competition. Gilliam hopes to do at least that well in 2006. That is not an unrealistic expectation given his history with the game and keen eye for improving individual and team performances.
Golfing is a family affair for the Gilliams. “I grew up playing golf,” he says. “My family plays and I work at a golf course, so I think that gives me at least a little advantage because I'm around it so much.”
While lots of experience has certainly nurtured the techniques necessary to master such a difficult sport, Gilliam also retains a measure of natural talent, a gift that exceeds putts and drives. He explains, “I focus much of my energy on the mental game. In golf, one bad stroke can have an effect on the ones after it. I try not to let the errors get to me and learn from them instead. That, in turn, gives me more confidence when I am playing because I know that doing poorly early on doesn't mean that's the way it's going to be for the whole match.”
Gilliam constantly works on his short game because he recognizes that as the most important element. When training, Gilliam constantly repeats shorts strokes, such as chipping and putting, from different areas around the green. Maintaining consistency, or having the best form and the best stroke every time, is largest contributor to success in this part of the game.
Constant repetition in the short game, Gilliam believes, will not only improve his game, but that of his teammates as well. “We can all improve our putting, making those short shots, being consistent every time. Again, maintaining consistency, the same stroke every time is going to go the longest way towards improving the team's game.”
But even though Gilliam recognizes that all individuals and teams, including his own, always have room for improvement, he believes that this season's squad is prepared for success. “One of the biggest strengths of this team is the depth,” he explains. “On some teams, the top two or three players might carry the rest of the team. That's not how we are. All of the team members are very good and step up each time we're in competition.”
Coach Chris Smith explains that the reason for the power of this year's team is that all six starters have returned. “All of these guys have a great all-around game. They hit drives well and understand the mental aspect of the game. They played a lot this summer, which obviously gets them ready for varsity competition.”
The Wildcats seem prepared to make up some ground that they lost last season. In 2005, they failed to win the district tournament or place first because of their record, something Smith hopes to rectify this year. “One of our goals is to qualify for the state tournament and a team can do that by placing first or second in the region. It's not easy, but it's something we can accomplish. We definitely have the experience to do that. If we can have a few good days, I think things will look bright for us.”
Smith works hard to prepare the Wildcats for every situation they might encounter on any given course. To practice, the team plays eighteen holes at the Chesapeake Country Club. If a team member happens to make a bad shot, Smith uses that as a learning experience, instructing him to drop the ball, figure out what he did wrong, and hit the shot again with more accuracy. After playing the course, the team utilizes the practice sand trap and putting green to hash out that ever-so-important short game.
The result of all their hard work? The Wildcats are one of the best teams in the region. The six starters, Ben Gilliam, Paul Babashanian, Jake Pritchard, Ryan Howlett, Andrew Gibbs and James Fanshaw, will continue to work hard, perform well and probably bring home a few titles for Great Bridge in the process.
