By: Donovan W. Mann – [email protected]
Humboldt, IA – Consistency and dedication is key when a high level of success becomes the standard and that is a cornerstone to the Humboldt High Schools girls’ golf program.
For nearly a decade now the Wildcat girl golfers have been a consistent participant in the state meet. Going back to 2013 Humboldt has appeared in five of the last seven state meets including a championship in 2017.
Team Coach of 14 years Jessica Harklau says that the programs success got built on the girls dedication to get better on their own time. The girls who have been joining the program have a “passion for the game” joined with families who encourage and support them to keep playing in the summer after the season concludes.
Coach Harklau says that having the girls who are willing to put in that extra work has “been a huge part” of the Wildcats program. “Beyond just the season, they are out in the summer playing, fine tuning things.” This is encouraging for a coach when her team doesn’t end the season and hang up their golf clubs until the next season.
The coach says that success “never gets old” and can help kindle passion that drives even more success. “When things start to click and happen and you can see you can do it, it just motivates you to become the best golfer that you can and the best coach you can.” She always encourages girls to try the sport out and is constantly teaching the technique and rules to new athletes.
Coach Harklau says the success at Humboldt truly is because of the combination of having girls who love the game, the coaching, encouragement and camaraderie that develops. “It just kind of becomes a family, you become really close as a team” she says.
In 2017 Humboldt did win their first girls’ golf state championship since 1987 because all the pieces seemingly came together. “It was pretty exciting” Coach Harklau says as she reflects on how they seemed to have the right team at the right time.
After the first of two days the Wildcats were down by a few strokes. After playing the whole day from about 8 am-5 pm Humboldt got back out on the course for three hours until it got dark. “They were that determined that they could win that state title the next day and they wanted to give every single effort that they had” Harklau says. Her team was the only team that returned to the course after dinner.
“It’s that kind of determination and that kind of power and strength to get it done that really makes things happen” Coach Harklau says. “You just have to believe in yourself and put in the hard, hard work and success comes.”
Since 2009 (with the exception of 2020 when the season was cancelled due to COVID-19) Humboldt has appeared in six state meets (2009, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019). In addition to their 2017 championship they finished second in 2019. The team claimed conference titles in 2016 (first since 1991), 2017 and 2019.
Success is built on many things. In recent history the Humboldt girls’ golf team and their coach have built their foundation of success on hard work and dedication.
Featured photo courtesy of the Humboldt Community School District’s website.