Oviedo Boys’ Golf Team Opens 2025 Season at Twin Rivers

 

The Oviedo Boys’ Golf Team will launch their 2025 campaign by hosting their own invitational tournament on Monday, August 25th at Twin Rivers Golf Club.

 

"It’s a strong field," Coach Howell said. "I wanted our kids to see how some of the perennial powerhouse programs play and test themselves head-to-head. Our seniors—Tre, Tyler, and Caleb—have come so far since their freshman year. They really deserve this opportunity to showcase their talents as do my two juniors - Xander and Holt."

---

Senior Leadership

The Lions have already played twelve nine-hole matches against each other in preparation for the season. Their scores have been impressive as they continue to adjust to the renovated greens at Twin Rivers.

 

"We didn’t get to play here much last year with them putting in new greens," senior Tyler Adamczyk noted. "They’re much better than the old greens and a lot faster than at Tuscawilla. It’s taken a little getting used to." Tyler is currently seeded third for the Lions.

 

Coach Howell has also challenged the team by alternating tee boxes. "Coach has been moving us up and back from the red tees to the black tees to test different parts of our game," senior Caleb Anderson added. "I’m really happy with how I’m striking it and can’t wait for the season to start. It’s going to be a fun year."  Caleb is playing in the two spot. 

 

Senior Tre Dahm emphasized the team’s bond: "I think we’ve reached a point where we don’t care who shoots what, as long as the team does well. That’s a really good feeling." Tre is the number four seed right now. 

---

Rising Stars

Juniors Xander Pendry and Holt Rue, along with sophomore Landon Francis, round out the top six.

 

"When I first got here, it was tough adjusting to new people and personalities," Xander shared. "But over the last year we’ve really bonded, and the team feels close."  Holt added, "It’s a lot of fun playing with these guys. We ride each other a little when things happen in  practice, but it’s always in good fun. It makes us stronger as a team." Xander is currently number one for the Lions and is averaging under par for the pre-season. Holt is the number five seed, but moving up with lower and lower scores each week.  

 

Sophomore Landon Francis, who saw limited action last season, is eager to contribute. "Coach keeps telling me how far I’ve come, and every once in a while I see it too," Landon said. "It’s been fun to watch the veterans and learn from how well they play. Landon currently sits in the number six spot. 

New Additions

The Lions also welcome six new faces to the roster this year, adding both depth and competition. "As time goes by," Coach Howell noted, "I wouldn’t be surprised to see a move or two toward the number six spot that might just challenge Landon. I'm not sure anyon is there yet, but they're getting closer." The Lions played a challenge match on Thursday and Landon Francis sent out a message by firing an even par 36 winning by four strokes!

 

A Mental Edge

Coach Howell has also introduced a new element this year: sports psychology.

 

"I’ve watched these guys go low at the club, shooting under par with ease. But in tournaments, they haven’t always shown that same level of skill. So this summer I dug into sports psychology—bought several books, studied up—and now I give them a chapter and questions to reflect on every few days," Howell explained. "My hope is that as they internalize these lessons, their tournament play will reflect the talent I see every day. I can’t wait for Monday."

 

Go Lions!

 

"The 1-Inch Difference"

 

A few years ago, there was a young golfer playing in the final round of his high school championship. He was one shot back with two holes to play. On the 17th, he hit a great approach—only to watch it spin back off the green. He ended up with bogey.

 

Most players would have let that ruin the 18th. But he remembered something his coach had told him:
 

"Golf is a game of inches. And most of those inches are between your ears."

 

He took a deep breath, reset his mind, and striped a drive down the last fairway. His approach finished one foot from the hole—he made birdie.

 

He didn’t win that day. But the lesson stayed with him: in golf, you can’t control the last shot, and you can’t control the next one until you play it. What you can control is your mindset, your focus, and your fight.

 

So today, whether your shot lands an inch from the pin or an inch out of bounds, remember—you’re always one swing away from turning the round around.