L-L League golf nurtured my athletic career, but now it’s given me new meaning [column] | High School Golf

I’m still not sure what I said. The only evidence I have was a clip of a quote from a 2016 LNP | LancasterOnline article.

I’m certain I was nervous, but I’m sure I was ecstatic. I never imagined a golfer of my caliber — or lack thereof — would ever be interviewed.

The one nugget I recall is former LNP sports reporter Kevin Freeman walking the practice green at Highlands of Donegal Golf Course, seeking me out. I had shot a 77 during the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section Two match and tied for low medalist for the first time.

Still, I didn’t feel it was worthy of interview. And maybe that’s why the moment is a blur.

What then-17-year-old me didn’t realize is nine years later, I’d be walking the same courses I played as a member of the Lampeter-Strasburg golf team. I’d run into coaches and people I had connected with nearly a decade ago. I’d be in Kevin’s shoes, once a week, interviewing athletes that shared the same passion I had.

There are no statistics to back me up, but there can’t be many reporters in the country that get to take a trip back in time. I mean in the sense of covering the sport they used to play, nonetheless in the same league.

A LOOK BACK: L-L’s best ready to duke it out for league golf title, district berths

There were times this fall when I got chills. When I covered the Section Three match at Meadia Heights, that’s when déjà vu really set in.

Meadia was L-S’s home track, but it’s also where I worked in the bag room for six years. I reconnected with my former boss and head golf professional, Scott Sklar, and caught up with my former teammate, Patrick Holmes, who currently commands the Pioneers assembly.

Later in the season, I saw another former boss, Pete Kowalinski, as I followed his sons, Conestoga Valley’s Andrew and Thomas Kowalinski. Now-retired coach Greg Minnich captained Solanco when I was at L-S, and his former athlete, Conner Sheehan, who I played against, now oversees Manheim Central.

Again, how many reporters have that attachment?

The other neat spin to this season’s golf coverage was following the events that I didn’t meet the standard for in high school. I was a two-time league championships qualifier and missed the District Three tournament cut line by a few strokes both my junior and senior years.

I had covered districts and states in my four years working in Carlisle, but a focus on L-L golfers this season was a first. I had a front-row seat to the endings of historic careers for Cedar Crest’s Dylan Ramsey and Warwick’s Piper Smith. I chronicled the rises of Cedar Crest freshman Bryn Brandt and Annville-Cleona freshman Ben Allwein.

L-L golf gave me so much this year just as it had when I was a scholastic athlete. But now, I’ve experienced it through both lenses — something I’m eternally grateful for and will continue to cherish.

In many instances, I attempted to reflect on my interview with Kevin. I don’t think I’ll ever remember everything I said, but I’ll always have a reminder anytime I step on an L-L course.

I was filled with appreciation when Kevin took the time to speak with me. I still am — now the one holding the recorder and asking the questions.

Seventeen-year-old me is still hanging around. I may not have known what words to say then, but I’m sure going to try my hardest to use the right ones now.

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.

Error! There was an error processing your request.