Randy Woodcock is pictured on hole 18 at the Maxwelton Golf Club. Woodcock is the new coach for the girls golf team at Wawasee. Photo by Nathan Pace.

By Nathan Pace
InkFreeNews

It has been whirlwind couple of weeks for Randy Woodcock. Woodcock accepted the head coaching job for the Wawasee girls golf team in July and in just two weeks he is already coaching the team in meets. In this short timespan, Woodcock has had members of the community reach out and congratulate him.

“There is excitement and it’s nice to be part of a community that cares. Not just about the win-loss record but about the time and energy you are pouring into the students. That’s the big thing. As they grow and become more confident in their abilities they will continue to improve,” Woodcock said.

Woodcock is a Wawasee alumnus and currently works for Polywood. He learned golf through playing with his father, Randy Woodcock Sr. Today, Woodcock enjoys the individual mindset golf offers.

“Started playing when five or six years old,” Woodcock said. “Played in a lot of the Lakeland Youth Center tournaments. Still have a lot of friends from that. Golf is something where you can challenge yourself. There are not a lot of sports like that.”

Woodcock takes over the team from coach Steve Coverstone, who had been coaching the boys and girls teams for over 30 seasons between the two programs.

“I really liked Steve, great coach. Definitely synonymous with Wawasee golf,” Woodcock said. “I am excited and grateful for this opportunity. Hoping to bring a lot of passion and enthusiasm.”

While Woodcock has always enjoyed golf, he mainly focused on baseball while as a student at Wawasee. Today, he and his wife Angie are expecting their fourth child next year. Woodcock also has helped with the youth groups at his church, North Webster Church of God for the past six years. With his experience assisting youth, Woodcock felt ready for the coaching opportunity.

“I saw a need and I just enjoy helping and serving. It has always been a passion of mine to help,” Woodcock said. “Not everyone has that person who is going to be a dependable figure in their lives. To be present and able to help in tandem with my love for golf.”

Numbers at the Wawasee program have been slim with just five on the team heading into the season. Woodcock has the goal to get numbers up in the program.

“Long term I want to build the numbers. I want there to be a JV team again. I want there to be a competitiveness to make that varsity team. I want them challenging each other. I want this to be a program people want to be a part of and take pride in,” Woodcock said.

Whether or not his team wins matches, Woodcock is confident golf will help the players on the girls golf team gain confidence in themselves and build skills that will help them network after high school.

“Girls golf has a lot of scholarship opportunity. It can help you with networking. It can help you at your place of employment,” Woodcock said. “Getting the girls this head start on a skill they can learn and use the rest of their life.”