December 11, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Five Question Friday with SJO Golf Coach Jeff Kern

How cool is it for the team to do so well at the regional tournament?
It was awesome for the team to do so well at Regionals.
We only missed first by six stokes which is amazing.
We have come a long way and other teams know we are there to play when we show up.
    
 What was it like for you, both as a dad and a coach, to see Jacob win the regional?
I will never forget that moment when he walked off of the 18th green at Regionals.   It’s pretty hard to explain what was going through my head but I have a picture that someone took us shaking hands and hugging and I am going to have that on my desk forever.    I’ve seen the hard work that he has put into it so I knew he was capable. At one point he was two under par but he did not realize he was four or five strokes in the lead too.  When you are shooting that well, it is a very stressful place to be because mentally, you are trying to stay there and know that the competitors are hoping you don’t.  Golf is unusual because there are no time outs, no substitutions, and once you start, you are on your own. 
Jacob does a great job keeping calm when he plays, it’s really hard to tell how he is doing unless you are really watching him play.  Seeing it play out the way it did was amazing, we are very proud of him.


  How much progress has the team made from the first meet back in August to now?
The team has made amazing progress.  Scores have been good this season and the boys played well when it counted.  I think most importantly their confidence has improved this season and they know they have great potential.   


 How much do you think this outcome will help the program moving forward?
Hopefully the success we have had will draw more people into Golf at SJO. 
We really need to keep people involved if we want to continue to move forward.


 Why do you like coaching golf at SJO?
Coaching Golf at SJO has been an honor and something I don’t take lightly.  I really enjoy just being apart of the team and providing opportunities for kids to play.
 

Banner
Related Posts

Wells, defense shine as balanced SJO girls’ basketball team wins regional title

February 22, 2022

February 22, 2022

The high school girls’ basketball season has taken St. Joseph-Ogden High School all across the state of Illinois. With plenty...

Making a run: Hug, Frick and Martinie spark SJO girls’ basketball on five-game win
streak

January 30, 2023

January 30, 2023

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball program has made it seem second natureat this point of going on deep...

Ingram, balanced run game and opportunistic defense lead SJO football to first win

September 23, 2021

September 23, 2021

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School football team needed a win. In a big way. The Spartans delivered one. In a...

Weaver, SJO football is a way of life

August 30, 2019

August 30, 2019

With the 2019 St. Joseph-Ogden football season ready to kickoff on Friday evening, we are beginning a new feature called...

SJO girls’ basketball makes lifetime memories with run to state

February 26, 2019

February 26, 2019

Shortly after the Class 2A girls’ basketball state championship game, the story made its rounds on social media. And it...

McDonald on cusp of 400th win as SJO volleyball continues success

September 11, 2023

September 11, 2023

A historic night is potentially on tap Monday at St. Joseph-Ogden High School.SJO volleyball coach Abby McDonald, in her 16th...

Berry, Bigger help power SJO volleyball to five straight wins

September 26, 2019

September 26, 2019

Heading into Thursday night’s home showdown with St. Thomas More, the St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team has won five straight matches....

They’re going to state! SJO volleyball continues dream season

November 9, 2019

November 9, 2019

All season long, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School volleyball team has risen to the occasion. The Spartans did so again...

Get to know SJO volleyball player Taylyn Lockhart

October 31, 2022

October 31, 2022

What do you think makes the team so successful? Our work ethic and how well we are able to play...

SJO girls’ basketball stays close, but loses first two games

November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023

Playing in the Illini Prairie Conference means the St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ basketball team will get tested during conference games each...

Wendling doesn’t give up, ready for state meet

February 14, 2019

February 14, 2019

When Jake Wendling first suffered a knee injury earlier this season, wrestling at the state meet didn’t seem likely. But...

Spartans find out postseason draw as weather wreaks havoc with schedule

May 2, 2019

May 2, 2019

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team hasn’t played a game in more than a week. That should change on...

Five SJO softball games to watch for in 2019

March 11, 2019

March 11, 2019

This Team Time Out is sponsored by Kelso Heating and Cooling. The season opener is less than a week away...

Smith combines love of running and charity

June 6, 2019

June 6, 2019

Keely Smith loves to run. You see it in her Twitter handle which is keelyruns101. You see it after talking...

Strong bond motivates Spartans Cross Country

November 9, 2019

November 9, 2019

Ally Monk wants people to know there is more to the St. Joseph-Ogden Cross Country program than trophies.  The SJO...

Comments
Leave a Reply