Pope calls new cardinals to be agents of unity

Friday, Nov. 25, 2016

DRAPER – Michael Walters III made history for the Juan Diego Catholic High School golf program by taking first place in the 3A Boys Golf High School State Championship.

Walters, a JDCHS junior, pulled a close victory out of his hat on the second day of the tournament. At first, Walters didn’t even know that he had a chance to win. He recalled being sure that he needed a birdie on the final hole in order to win, but ended up with a bogey instead. After a disappointed walk back to the club house, he was greeted by his friends, who told him that he still had a real chance for first place. He was tied into a sudden death match between two other players, Noah Schone of Pine View and Zane Schemmer of Park City, at 140 strokes apiece.

In a face-off on the 18th hole, Walters took a gamble and used his driver, hitting a difficult shot that led him to triumph in the sudden death match. 

When thinking about what it felt like to achieve the victory for his school, Walters said simply, “It felt like the last couple of years paying off.”

Walters is no stranger to putting in the hard work necessary to be the best. “My dad put a little plastic golf club in my hand when I was 3 years old,” he said. 

Though that plastic toy has long before been replaced by the real deal, it never seems to have really left his hand.

The game of golf has been in Walters’ life constantly ever since his dad got him started. His coaches and teachers have seen what this hard work amounts to. 

“Michael has worked his fanny off,” said Chris Long, JDCHS athletic director. “Just because you have God-given talents, doesn’t mean you can’t work on them. And just like my grandma always said, ‘God helps them that help themselves.’”

Long has nothing but praise for Walters, not just for his recent championship but in all of his conduct as a player and a student as well. 

“Golf is a game of tradition and honor, and Michael embodies that,” Long said. “He is an ambassador for Juan Diego and for golf.”

Walters does not feel like he won this victory all alone. He recalled praying a lot before his final games, thanking God for putting him in the state championship. He also is already turning his eyes to the future, hoping to return to the golf team next year and looking beyond that to a possible professional career in golf one day.

The state championship is an accomplishment not only important to Walters, but to the school as well, according to Long. “It really bodes well for the future,” he said. “Michael has really put us on the map.”