Kevin Thompson has Shown a Natural Aptitude for Golf
Leo Anthony has been coaching sports for forty-five years. He was recently honored after a match at Bow Creek for attaining his 500th career victory. While he retired from education three years ago, the golf team of First Colonial remains the beneficiary of his four-and-a-half decades of experience. Anthony includes among his list of accomplishments quite a number of impressive credentials, including the three state champion teams he coached at Princess Anne while Curtis Strange was under his tutelage. His words are more than just passing remarks.
"I had quite a few really good players this year," he says about the 2006 golf team. "These guys would regularly go out and shoot anywhere from eighty-five to seventy-five."
Anthony explains that the fact that the Patriots were able to hold their own in Virginia Beach is a feat in itself. "The Beach District is always strong in golf because there is an established junior golf program around here. This district is the strongest in the state."
Indeed, Anthony and his players must wade through some pretty stiff competition each year to make headway in the district. Cox, Kellam and Landstown, as well as several other schools in the district, always field solid athletes.
Nonetheless, the Patriots have never had a losing season under Anthony's direction. He reckons that to be one of the reasons that the program is so strong at First Colonial. Golf often becomes a family affair, Anthony having sometimes coached several members of the same family.
Pedigree, however, does not guarantee a top spot on the team. Instead, players must prove their ability to perform well match after match. "In practice, there is definitely a competitive atmosphere among the players," says Anthony. "There are six spots that compete and the best four are counted. If one of them is not doing so well and shoots above an eighty-five, he'll have to qualify to be put back in one of the top six positions."
One of the Patriots who always managed to secure one of the top spots on the team this season was seventeen-year-old senior Kevin Thompson. A team captain, Thompson has shown a natural aptitude for golf.
One reason that Thompson has contributed to the team's list of victories is that he is a multi-faceted player, demonstrating proficiency in several areas of the game critical for success. His strongest area is the putting green, sinking shots that even his elders find difficult to manage. Further, his drive off the tee is straight and strong, leaving him in excellent fairway positions on which he can capitalize.
How does Thompson remain competitive in a district as strong as Virginia Beach? Practice. "We play with the team from Monday through Thursday, but often on the weekends we'll get together and practice independent of school at some other course," he says.
Thompson works most on his chipping, a self-identified weaker area. And, of course, the drives do not end up as straight as they do by magic. Mostly, it is Thompson's familiarity with the game that comes with long hours of training that allows him to dominate other players.
The support of his family helps, too, particularly his father, Keith Thompson, who is also a golfer. "My dad plays a lot and he's always pushing me to do my best. That helps a lot when it comes to matches."
Thompson says that one reason for the Patriots' success has been the closeness of his teammates. "We're all good friends," he explains, "and that helps us in competition by seeing all the different styles of play. For instance, the number one position might play with five or two with six. We all play better when we change things up like that."
Thompson stresses the importance of playing in the off-season, something that the Patriots have been known to do generously. He notes the importance of off-season practice given the relative youth of the Patriots in 2006. Both Thompson and Coach Anthony realize that 2006 has been a building year, and that the program will continue to improve in the future.
As for his future, Thompson wants golf to remain a part of it. Perhaps one day he may coach his way to 500 victories as well.
