Prep Sports: Boyle golf coaches share Vaught award as area coaches of year

During the last few years, there has been a dramatic surge not only in the level of play of the Boyle County girls golf team, but even in the interest in the program. Suddenly the team has plenty of players, has put together winning seasons and even has sent players to college to play golf.
Coaches Sharon Beasley and Sandy Waters have also done more than win. They have had their players involved in community service projects as well as team fundraisers. They keep players involved in summer tournaments and individual lessons to sharpen their skills.
That commitment is why they have been chosen as the Bill Vaught Memorial Area Coaches of the Year. The award, sponsored by Coffman’s Trophy Shop in Junction City, is named for the longtime Advocate sports and honors coaches who not only win but also contribute more than just athletic success.
“Sharon and Sandy will tell you that the success of the program is because of our student-athletes commitment to practice. That has been very important and has made our program better, but I don’t think we would have been as successful as we have been without their commitment and dedication to this program,” Boyle athletic director Chris LeMonds said.
“We have seen tremendous growth in our girls golf program because of the two individuals that we have leading our girls program. They have been able to get out to our elementary schools and middle school to recruit some of these girls to get involved in golf. What is so surprising to me, though, is that they have been able to get these girls to compete so well at a young age. Our team is made up mostly of sophomores and younger.”
Boyle principal Will Begley, a former coach, has been just as impressed.
“Golf is an activity that can be played late into your retirement years, so getting these kids excited and involved at an early age is a win-win for them and our school’s golf program,” Begley said.  “They have high expectations, a competitive drive and a great relationship with their kids. Those three characteristics are the tools every coach must have to be successful, and Sharon and Sandy have those characteristics. They both have an out-going personality, pay attention to the little things and are very committed to their school.”
The Rebels won two 18-hole tournaments, placed second in three other 18-hole tournaments and had the school’s best 18-hole score (340) during the 2010 season. They also finished fifth in their region after placing 10th in 2009 and had a final record of 9-5.
LeMonds knows both coaches have a “drive and passion” about Boyle golf that radiates to the players.
“They love these girls and they push them to be successful on the course as well as in life,” LeMonds said. “I love the fact that they are able to communicate with these girls and that they care about the girls. They are very unselfish in that they are giving up time that they could be spending doing something else, but they coach these girls because they love the game and love seeing these girls succeed.”
Here are insights the two Boyle coaches offered on their role in the golf program:

Question: How long have you been involved in coaching now, and how did you get started?
Waters: “This upcoming season will be my fouth full year with the team. Rachel Pingleton's father, Rob, came to me on the tee box of No. 15 at Old Bridge one day and asked if I would help the team. Once I got started, I was hooked.”
Beasley: “This is my second full year of coaching. I had just moved from California and overheard Alexis Draut talking about golf. I asked her if she knew if they needed help and she said yes. I stopped by and introduced myself to Dave and Sandy, and the rest is history.”