The second place finish five members of the varsity boys golf team received, at the High School Golf National Invitational June 27-July 1 at Pinehurst, North Carolina, has given them a boost of confidence as they head into this year’s season.

“It really put[s] some confidence in myself and our team,” senior Jack Wilson said. “After a disappointing state tournament, I was happy that we came back and placed so well in such a big tournament.”

In addition to Wilson, senior Jack Patterson, juniors Thomas Curry and John D. Patterson and 2021 graduate Camden Robertson competed in the tournament.

“To go and compete against the best teams in the country and do well was an unreal experience,” Curry said. “Getting the second place trophy with all the guys was pretty cool.”

Coach Ryan Huntze believes winning second place validated the team’s hard work.

“The team and I were thrilled just to have the opportunity to go to the tournament,” Huntze said. “We are extremely thankful to TISD for allowing us to go and very grateful for the opportunity to compete against all these great teams around the country.”

The tournament consisted of 46 teams, including Texas High, and provided many memorable moments.

“When we were all coming up on [hole] No. 18, we had a massive gallery watching us,” Wilson said. “And it really felt like a professional tournament.”

Before the team travels to Fort Worth for the Bart Granger Invitational on Sept. 17, they have a few things to work on.

“As a team, we all need to work on learning how to score better,” Wilson said. “If we can get that figured out, we’re going to have an outstanding team this year.”

The second place win was a good way to get the season started.

“It really means a lot to us because it shows all of our hard work paying off,” Patterson said. “To be able to compete at such a big stage and perform so well is not easy. Hopefully, how we did at nationals is just a glimpse of what we have coming this year and the years to come.”