Article by Greg Jaklewicz
Photos Courtesy of TexPix.com
Strong Start
There perhaps is no better starting point for a sports team than setting a school record its first outing.
That’s how the Wylie High boys golf team began its four-tournament slate for the fall half of the year. The Bulldogs will play four tournaments now, then their District 2-5A schedule in the spring.
Bart Granger Memorial
Playing both layouts of Pecan Valley Golf Course in Fort Worth, Wylie opened the massive 52-team Bart Granger Memorial Tournament with a 288 on the “River” course. That lowered the 290 that WHS shot last year on a course last October in Odessa.
The team followed with a 305 later in the day on the “Hills” course.
The 593 total placed Wylie in the top 26 teams that battled the River course again. The Bulldogs got back under 300 to 298 on Day 2 to finish 10th overall.
Coach Mike Campbell wasn’t too surprised.
“Coming off the summer … they are competitively sharp,” he said. “And the fall season is the best weather. Our championship season is in the spring, and the spring weather is hit or miss. Wind and dormant golf courses make it a lot tougher.
“But I was really pleased with the way they played and the way they competed in a field of this level.”
Wylie’s finish sounds pretty good, but consider that the tournament was not flighted until the second day. Teams from Class 6A on down competed.
“It’s the biggest tournament in Texas, if not the biggest tournament in the nation,” Campbell said. “The field was loaded with the top teams in Texas. 6A state champ Austin Lake Travis was there and Prosper Walnut Grove.”
Lubbock Invitational
Wylie played its second tournament in Lubbock and took third at the Lubbock ISD Invitational on two courses (Lakeridge and Shadow Hills) there.
Wylie Golf a State Power
Wylie is ranked No. 4 among Class 5A teams and the 12th best squad in Texas.
Lake Travis is the overall No. 1 team.
The Bulldogs are expected to do well during its 2025-26 run. After all, the team advanced to the Class 5A state tourney last spring, finishing eighth among 12 teams. WHS shot a 317, well behind the 296 posted by Prosper Walnut Grove. Scores were for just one round, the second round was not played due to inclement weather.
Competing in Austin last spring were Bulldogs Reece Templeton, Jack Cole, Jack Curington, Casen James and Carson Groban.
Only James graduated, meaning Wylie returns an experienced squad. Cole, Currington, Groban and Templeton were on the varsity as sophomores, and Cole and Currington since they were freshmen.
“I have a lot of seniors … 1-,” Campbell said. “They are all close-knit and they work hard every day when we go out to practice. And they work hard outside of our team practice time. It takes that in golf.”
Only five players go to tournaments, and Campbell said the competition for those slots is good.
“It’s very competitive in qualifying to make that top five. We have a well-balanced team,” Campbell said. “On any given day, any of the top five can shoot the lowest score.”
The Fort Worth tourney was evidence. Cole, Templeton and sophomore Jack Steadman, playing in his first varsity tournament, shot the same three-round score to lead the team.
And while they’d like to be the kings of 5A golf this coming spring, the team will rely heavily on its three Jacks — Cole and Currington and Steadman.
How to Get Better
Golfers are familiar with the adage “drive for show, putt for dough.”
That simply means the short game is vital. For pros, it’s the difference in a payday.
Campbell said he emphasizes chipping and putting in practice.
“Compared to other teams, we hit it long. That’s definitely a strength because it makes the courses play shorter,” he said. “That’s an advantage.
“But during my practice, I emphasize the short game. We do a lot of chipping drills and putting drills to help us score.”
To advance on last year’s 8th place finish at state, Campbell said it will be the little things, like excellence in the short game, that will push Wylie up in the standings.
“Wedges — anything 80 yards in, chipping and putting,” he said. “What will help us is the experience we have at the state tournament. Four of those guys played, and just having that experience in knowing they belong. And the experience leading up.”
Support and Vision
Like the other coaches of fall sports at Wylie, Campbell is pleased the WISD allows his team to play events early on that attract the best in Texas.
“My mindset has always been to play the best competition because it’s going to make you better,” he said. “I have had nothing but support from Coach (Mike) Fecci and the whole administration on everything I am trying to accomplish.”
Fecci is the WISD director of athletics.
Campbell’s Experience
Campbell is more than familiar with excellence.
The one-time all-American golfer was an 11-year coach at Abilene Christian University. In his 12th season at Wylie, he would like to add a state championship team.