LUKE POOL

Muskogee Roughers Golf

Since the early age of six, Muskogee sophomore Luke Pool continues to feel right at home when swinging his clubs on the golf course. And with the positive encouragement and golf “tips” of family and other golf pros, Luke has developed a championship level of confidence that leads to lower scores.

“A good mind is better than a good swing any day because when your drive goes off target or you short side a green, some times you just have to take your medicine and focus on the next shot,” said Pool. “The mental side of golf is definitely the toughest part.”

With his mental approach fine tuned, Pool has plenty of confidence that when he steps to the tee with his driver in hand as well as with his wedges from the fairway, something good is going to happen

“Especially when it’s hot, I have the confidence I can grip it and rip it,” Pool said of his “big stick” off the tee box. “Day in day out, I know I can create a desired result with my wedges and when I can see the line on the green, there’s no doubt the ball is going in the hole.”

There’s also a definite competitive spirit that Pool makes the most of every chance he gets.

“Getting better in golf doesn’t come all at once…it’s the day to day repetition of your swing and thought process that will eventually come together but you can’t get too mad when a shot goes off target. Still yet, that moment when you know you’ve hit a good shot, nothing feels better,” said Pool. “I like winning in everything I do and I do my best to not let anyone out work me on the golf course in order to give myself the best chance to win.”

The talented golfer proved his skills in the Frontier Valley Conference tournament. His fourth place finish on the leaderboard earned Pool first team All-Conference honors.

Pool was one of three members of the Roughers golf team that qualified for the Class 6A state tournament. Admitting that he’s a student of history, Pool is encouraging his teammates Perry Bartley, Ladd Elgin, Gray McQueen and Warner Eaton to do whatever is required by taking aim at the flags on the green to let history repeat itself and earn a team entry at state.

“We’re using that experience of last year and the desire to make it as a team as motivation for this spring. Muskogee High School has a history of successful golfers and we want to put this year’s team in those conversations, just like the stories about the good old days that I’ve heard from my dad and grandpa.”