Seven years ago, the notion of reviving a golf team at Marathon High School was little more than a wish. This October, the team’s end-of-season banquet was enough to fill the Florida Keys Country Club with more than two dozen athletes and their families.

“We had one of the most successful golf seasons in my four years as a coach,” said head coach Mary Coleman-Sayer. “I’m so proud of the improvements that players made all season long. Leo Mendez and Mason Thornton had outstanding senior campaigns this year, and I’m so proud of their hard work and dedication during the offseason to help shoulder several team wins.”

A sport that could typically be cost-prohibitive has managed to thrive in the Middle Keys, due in large part to the support of the Florida Keys Country Club and backing from the Dolphin Golf Club, founded by assistant coach Stan Haines.

Today, team golfers in Marathon High School gear enjoy nearly-unlimited free access to FKCC facilities – even for practice outside of scheduled team events, a rare benefit MHS golfers are more than happy to use to their advantage. Recently installed as the general manager of the country club, Haines estimated that annual practice and match time on the course donated to the team would otherwise total north of $100,000.

And in addition to providing uniforms, gear and funding for trips, including ventures to the mainland to train with South Florida golf pros, each graduating senior golfer receives an automatic $1,000 scholarship from the Dolphin Golf Club.

“The growth is unbelievable,” said Haines. “We went from six people or so in the first year, to 13 in the second year, to 18 or 19, and this year we finished with 28 on the team.

“(Coleman-Sayer) has made golf ‘cool’ again,” he added. “A lot of it has to do with her demeanor, and she’s got some really good assistant coaches out there. Dave Rodriguez, I don’t think that guy’s missed two practices in four years. Mike Leonard is like the grandfather of the team.”

“Without the community support, our program would not be growing as steadily as it is,” said Coleman-Sayer. “I want to thank FKCC, Key Colony’s par 3, and all the volunteer coaches and players.”

Photos by PATTI CHILDRESS/Keys Weekly