As the fall season for atheletics draws to a close, Walla Walla University Golf Coach Mike Kearbey reveals his hopes as they look forward ot their spring season.
WWU: What drew you to coaching the golf team here at WWU?
Mike Kearby: I get a kick out of teaching an activity that I consider to be the most challenging, yet rewarding, games in the world. Golf can allow a great deal of time for reflection and yet it can be as competitive as you want it to be. This allows us many opportunities to grow as a team and as individuals.
WWU: What are your goals for this year's team?
Kearbey: I have a very young team with tons of potential. I would love to see all of our players shoot their lowest rounds ever at some point this year, especially if that’s during tournament play.
WWU: What is your coaching philosophy?
Kearbey: A sound philosophy should look for coaching successes and failures in many ways. On and off the course, how do we represent ourselves? Do we represent WWU in a way that all would be proud to see? Do we represent Jesus in the ways others see us? Are we passionate, giving 100% to better ourselves? Are we stoic in the way we win and lose? Keeping these things in mind while playing a game we love makes these goals/philosophies that much more enjoyable.
WWU: Do you have any pregame rituals you lead the team in?
Kearbey: On the way to our tourneys we have team prayer and our day’s focus on the bus. Beyond general warmups, each player has found a pregame routine that they have practiced and that works for them. Golf is such a mental game that there isn’t one routine that necessarily fits all. It can even change day to day based on one’s specific needs.
WWU: Have you always been interested in golf?
Kearbey: Yes. My Grandpa use to take me when I was very young. I reminisce about playing with him today or even imagine what it would be like to play with my dad. I hear my dad was a really good player. I love the competitive angles golf has. It can be therapeutic or competitive.
WWU: What are your interests/hobbies other than golf and coaching?
Kearbey: I love being a dad and a teacher to my two young boys, Mason and Miles. I love being a husband to my beautiful wife, Kim. Teaching physical education for students in kindergarten through eighth grade at Rogers Adventist School is a blast too. I also enjoy fly fishing and photography—anything outdoors really.
To learn more about the upcoming spring schedule for the Wolves golf team, visit uwolves.com.
Posted Dec. 6, 2019.
