Senior Bryce Harmon has often been placed under pressure in his golf career.
However, this year brings a new challenge – the test of leadership.
“Trying to set an example is always what you want to do,” said Harmon, who recently committed to UT-Martin.
“If you show what to do right, hopefully others that aren’t playing great right now, or just joined the team, can try to follow in your footsteps and try to live up to what they want to be.”
Harmon’s younger teammates have taken notice of his efforts.
“Bryce has really stepped up since Jaden [Morrell] and Gray [Loftin] left,” junior Conner Hall said.
The Bearden golf team has undergone another major leadership change this year. After the 2023 season, Coach Tyler Lane stepped down from his position and his assistant coach Billy Davis took his position.
However, even as the head coaching position has experienced a significant change, the team dynamics have not.
“I haven’t really changed much,” Coach Davis said. “I’m trying to keep [the team dynamics] the same because we do have a lot of veterans on the team who are used to that.”
These changes come as the team looks to make it to the state championships for just the second time since 1983, with their most recent appearance being last year.
Even as the program is experiencing major leadership changes, hopes remain high for a return to state.
“I know if it all clicks in the postseason, we can win state,” Hall said.
Added Coach Davis: “On paper, it looks like we can [make it back to state]. We’ve just got to put the pieces together.”
The team narrowly won at the Mike Mills Invitational tournament earlier this month. The Bulldogs came out on top in a highly contested field by winning a three-hole playoff over Morristown West. Harmon led the way, shooting a tournament-leading one over par.
Bearden’s next match is at 4:30 p.m. against Oak Ridge and Maryville on Thursday. Stay tuned to The Bark for more coverage on both the boys and girls golf teams.