By Payton Moody
The Plainview Indians Boys Golf team went out with a bang this season, winning its first Class 3A State Championship since 2015.
This would be a shocking feat for a normal coach in his first year at Plainview. However, Head Coach Steve Ross is accustomed to success. As the former boys golf coach for Ardmore High School, he assisted the team to nine state titles.
Ross clinched his 10th title with the Indians this past week, with Kingfisher taking second and Lone Grove placing third in the tournament.
Though Ross is known for his coaching abilities, he credits the win to his team.
“They wanted it,” Ross said of the title. “For me, I just want them to love golf. And they do. They’re not hard to coach if they love to golf and they love to practice. I know every day when I come out, they’re working on something. If they need help, I’ll help them. But they worked hard, so I couldn’t have asked for a better first year at Plainview.”
Coming into a new role this year, Ross had many expectations for this talented team of golfers. The Indians undoubtedly put in an abundance of effort, but Ross made sure they were ready to achieve their goal as soon as he came into leadership.
“Our only team goal was to win state,” Ross said. “At the beginning of the season, I told them we needed to shoot 300 or better to win, and at our last three tournaments, we have done just that.”
Leaders are necessary for a team to be successful, and Ross believes he has two on his team who lead by example.
“Jace Chaney and Hudson Hobbs have been my most impactful players this season,” Ross said. “They have both been in the 1 and 1A slot this year.”
Putting numbers aside, it’s encouraging for the future of the program that the Indians only must replace one golfer from this state championship team. With a successful season under his belt, Ross looks toward the future with hopeful optimism.
“Next season, I am hoping to improve as much as we have from last season,” Ross said. “I will be returning four of five starters for the next two years, so I am extremely hopeful for the future. This could be a fun time for Plainview golf over the next couple of years, and I’m excited to see where it goes.”
