Freshman Golfer Matthew Salter Qualifies for the State Tournament

( Photo Courtesy of Blake Athletics)

Freshman Matthew Salter is the first person in eight years to qualify for states on the Blake golf team.

Salter entered Blake this fall playing on the golf team having competitive level golfing for two and a half years. Salter liked the competitive side of golf, so he decided to keep on playing when coming to Blake this school year. “[I like] probably just the competitive aspect of it and that everyone is competitive. Also that a lot of kids have a lot of fun with it,” Salter said on why he loves to play golf.

When tournaments approach, it takes a lot of practice to prepare for them, and Matthew does exactly that. “I just practice whenever I can and work on stuff that I need to improve on to shoot the best I can possibly shoot,” Salter says. Coach Sam Silverman also adds that “he does work hard in practice. He makes sure whatever he does in practice he takes to the match, and he does work hard on his game. “

When playing the sport of golf, you need proper ball flights in order to properly hit the ball where you want it to go. Salter’s natural ball flight is the draw. When you hit the ball it curves from the player's right to left. A draw is common for people who are right handed, but Salter is left handed. Instead of curving from right to left, Salter’s flight is left to right.

During the golf season this year, Salter has been the best on the team, averaging the lowest scores while competing in tournaments. While Blake’s golf team isn’t having a great season, Salter has been outstanding this year himself. In his last match, he shot an 80, qualifying him for states.

Salter goes to compete in the first round of states on Monday October 23 at 9 AM. . “I’m looking forward to it and I hope that I can represent Blake in the best possible way I can,” Salter said about competing in the state tournament. Good luck,Matthew! We're all rooting for you!