RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
A desire to play in the state golf tournament is motivating two Randolph High School siblings to focus on improving their scores while helping the Ro-Hawks golf team get better at the same time.
For the past few years, brother and sister Jared and Jessica Cornish have earned trips to the Class 2A regional tournament. Jared, a senior, has been to regionals three straight years as a freshman, sophomore and junior. Jessica, a junior, is aiming to play in her third straight regional tournament this year.
For Jared and Jessica to make a return trip to the regional tournament, they will both have to place at the District 29-2A tournament March 31 at Randolph Oaks Country Club. The top two boys and two girls finishers advance to the regional tournament April 21-22 at Quail Creek Country Club in San Marcos.
Because of their experience and the extra work they have put in, they have set high goals for themselves this spring.
"Hopefully, I can win district, place in regionals and go to state," Jessica said. "This year I feel more prepared for regionals because I have been golfing every day and going to a golf coach. I feel like I have more of a consistent swing down."
Jared has just started getting back on the golf course after recovering from a broken wrist while playing for the Ro-Hawks basketball team. Despite the setback, Jared believes he still has a good chance of making it to state.
"I definitely believe I can place at regionals," he said. "I have a lot of confidence in myself because I am a senior and I have been there before, and I know the course really well."
The top two boys and girls finishers at regionals earn a trip to the Class 2A state tournament, which will be May 5-6 at Jimmy Clay Golf Course in Austin.
Jared and Jessica have put together good performances at tournaments during the season. At the Navarro High School Invitational in Seguin March 13, Jared placed fifth with a score of 83. His best score so far this year was an 82 at the Ro-Hawk Invitational Feb. 27 at Randolph Oaks.
Jessica's best outing of the season was a first-place showing at the Devine tournament Feb. 27. She shot an 85 to beat out 89 other girls in the field.
Randolph golf coach Mike Miller said Jared and Jessica are some of the finest golfers he has coached at the school.
"Jessica is the best girl golfer I have had in the 16 years I have coached here," Miller said. "Normally, we have not had that many girls, but this year is the first time we have had a full girls team, and Jessica has worked well with the others on helping them with their games. Jared has worked hard on his mental game and has been to regionals every year as a team member and individual player."
The Ro-Hawks had the past week off because of spring break. Their next tournament is in Comfort at The Buckhorn with the girls teeing off March 25 and the boys March 27.