On May 16, the boys golf team at Rolla High School placed second overall at the MSHSAA Class 4 golf competition, with many other wins amongst the team. Four RHS golfers placed in the tournament, one of them being junior Jonathon “Channy” Jordan, who became the first golf state champion of RHS. 

Jordan began playing golf at an early age, after being inspired by his family, who are all golfers themselves. 

“I was eleven [when I started playing golf],” stated Jordan. “My whole family plays golf and my nephews started playing golf, so I just kind of picked it up.” 

Growing up, Jordan looked forward to joining the RHS boys golf team. Overall, his experience on the team has been enjoyable, especially playing alongside his nephews and working with Coach Zach Nixon.  

“It’s been really fun. Coach Nixon is great, I love him,” stated Jordan. “I played with my nephews this year on the team, so it’s just fun the whole time.” 

Jordan’s athletic journey has not been completely smooth-sailing though, for he had to face many challenges and hardships along the way.

“It’s been really hard [to get to this point],” stated Jordan. “Not being able to run and do anything else when I was a little kid and then having to work harder than everybody else because I was less fortunate. It’s been a lot of hard work, but I enjoy it.” 

After experiencing those challenges as a kid, Jordan began to dedicate a lot of time to golf. His hard work paid off in the end, for he became the first boys state champion golfer from Rolla. 

“[I was in] disbelief. I knew I was going to be the first one to win state in Rolla history as a golfer. I mean, [I felt] just nervousness coming down the stretch and then it just turned into happiness [when I won state].” 

All of the golfers that competed in the tournament , including Jordan, had to undergo much practice and training for the event.

“I did just a lot of range work, putting, chipping, and all of that stuff,” stated Jordan. “Then I talked with a bunch of people, getting my mind set and what it needed to be at the time.” 

Jordan has high hopes of winning state again during his senior year, and furthering his pursuit in golf at a college level. To a large extent, Jordan has had a successful season, and urges others to try out golf if they are willing to work hard. 

“A lot of people don’t think it’s [golf] a lot of hard work, but we have to work harder than anybody else who plays sports. We’re out there for eight hours a day doing it constantly,” stated Jordan. “It’s so much fun, but it’s so much work.”