Everyone will remember the high school class of 2020 that stayed home all spring and missed so many of the highlights of senior year — prom, sports events, drama performances, concerts, graduation ceremonies and so much more.
It’s possible that prom and graduation will be rescheduled for many schools, but the spring sports seasons are definitely canceled, so we won’t get to root for Walled Lake Northern to win the state golf title. This exceptional group includes six TGA coaches. The head coach, Jim Ellis, also is a TGA lead instructor, and five players are TGA assistants — Max O’Rourke, Ryan O’Rourke, Dylan Sokol, Mitchell Lawley and Luke Babington. Max, Ryan and Dylan are former TGA summer campers and tournament players.
“We were really looking forward to doing something special,” said co-captain Max, a senior who will be attending Wayne State on a golf scholarship in the fall. “We are thankful for what we have, but the unknown question of how good we could be won’t be answered.”
Max was especially looking forward to playing with his younger brother Ryan, a freshman who was the Golf Association of Michigan’s 15-under player of the year. Max and Ryan regularly shoot in the low 70s, and their varsity teammates all average under 80.
Coach Jim Ellis said this is “absolutely the best team I’ve ever had in 16 seasons of coaching high school golf. These kids have all pulled together and bonded together. They work out together and teach each other. And they are all outstanding students.”
Max is keeping an upbeat attitude. He’s looking forward to college and savoring his high school memories. He also loved the experience of coaching with TGA. “I really enjoyed working with the kids — the kids and schools were so welcoming. It’s the best high school job I could imagine.”
