Each time they stepped onto the green grass and observed their competition, senior Tyler Pierle and freshman Conner Seligman come ready to compete against each other.
They root for each other but stay loyal to themselves each match.
For Pierle and Seligman, friendly competition is the way they engage on the course but make memories as well.
“They’re both really talented, so they push each other,” head coach Sam Hanley said. “There’s competition there that’s pretty healthy for them right now.”
As the season rolled through, Pierle and Seligman had one goal, to win. Even so, they’ve become leaders and friends on and off the course, seeing each other’s highest and lowest points.
For Seligman, that phrase hit closer to home after being ruled out the rest of the season on May 13 due to breaking his collarbone.
Before competing side by side, Pierle saw his potential and knew Seligman would be a good fit for the team.
Despite the grade difference, Pierle and Seligman instantly clicked. From being acquaintances in middle school to reuniting in high school, their chemistry has only thickened.
“I think it took a second for me to warm up to him and get to know him…,” Pierle said. “But once I figured him out, I really enjoyed playing with him and enjoyed playing with him early.”
When not with the team, they bonded over playing golf outside of school too. But they formed a deeper connection when they started going to church together every Sunday.
“Going to church together has strengthened our relationship by spending more time together and connecting on a deeper level,” Seligman said.
Once they came together, they transferred that connection to the team and became more competitive. Although Pierle is the captain of the team, Seligman brought the same energy and intentions to lead as well.
Seeing that from Seligman, it pushed Pierle to enhance his abilities.
However, leading alongside each other doesn’t always go the way they want it to go. Since Seligman is still a freshman, he has room to improve his decision making.
“I think when it comes to course management sometimes he makes choices that I wouldn’t, and that doesn’t mean they’re wrong, but I think there are smarter choices,” Pierle said. “And I think I’ve tried to help him make some (of) the smarter choices, (other) than the hero choices.”
Although Seligman is young, he quickly fit right in. But now, his absence will leave a hole in the team’s performance.
Before his injury, his lowest score was 75 on 18 holes and his highest was 86. On nine holes, his lowest was two with the high of one over. During this time, he obtained two medals and won one tournament.
As for Pierle, he’s scored a low of 73 on 18 holes and 79 for his highest. And for 9 holes, his lowest is 35 and his highest 42. He’s also earned three medals this year.
Pierle hopes to make it to state after making it to regionals his sophomore year and bring his skills to Anderson University next fall.
As for Seligman, he will take it day by day.
“I won’t be able to do golf stuff for a while,” Seligman said. “I won’t be full (strength) for a whole year,… but I (will be) cleared in 6-9 months.”
Pierle also believes in his comeback.
“He’s a phenomenal player, and he has so much fire in him. He is definitely addicted to golf which is great, so I know he will come back strong,” Pierle said.
