A new fall sports season has brought some new coaches to various schools, including to Copper Hills. The Grizzlies welcome Jack Lambert to lead the boys golf team. 

Lambert inherits a team that faces some tough tasks this season. The Grizzlies compete in Region 2 against defending Class 6A champion and state power Corner Canyon as well as Herriman and Bingham, both of whom finished in the top 11 in state a year ago. 

In 2023, two Grizzlies placed at the state championships. One of those players, senior Tate Allred, is back this season to lead Copper Hills. Lambert is fortunate to have Allred, who is the most talented, seasoned player on the squad. 

“[Allred] brings years of experience and the ability to manage his golf game in a way that few can,” Lambert said. “He is a senior and one of our captains, and we hope he uses his leadership to elevate the team.”

As he enters his first year at the helm of the Copper Hills team, Lambert is aiming to develop a competitive group of boys who have a positive mindset and a desire to succeed. He wants the boys to enjoy playing and accomplish their goals. 

“One of the things that we’re looking to do is build a good culture and a program where kids want to compete and be dedicated to the sport,” he said. “Two of the main goals that we’re trying to accomplish is making golf a competitive sport. We want our boys to feel like they can compete at any moment. The second goal is for every boy to improve throughout the season.”

Lambert said he won’t define success by where the team places at tournaments and matches but rather by the players’ development and progress. 

“A successful season to me would look like a group of dedicated players that are hungry to improve,” he said. “If they have gained that desire, we had a successful season.”

Any coach wants to have skilled players who can compete with and challenge opponents. But as Lambert can attest, it’s arguably more important to have a group of players who work hard, who are coachable and who strive to be their best on and off the field (or course) of play. 

“We have great kids; our group of guys are some of the best kids I’ve met,” Lambert said. “They conduct themselves the right way.”

The boys golf season is long, which can be mentally taxing on the players. Matches and tournaments begin in early August, and the state tournament isn’t until Oct. 14 and 15. Golf also requires focus, concentration and resilience, as any golfer is bound to run into difficulties here and there. Lambert hopes that more practice time will help the Grizzlies be at their best—physically and mentally. 

“One of the biggest challenges that we face is fighting through adversity,” he said. “Golf is an imperfect sport, and we really have to manage our emotions to keep the level head needed to perform well. This will be a season-long endeavor and something that we will try to achieve through having rigorous practice.”

In the first few weeks of the 2024 season, Lambert was pleased with the effort his players have shown and how they have responded to him as the program’s new coach. He wants not only to help them get better as golfers but develop into great young men. 

Lambert is also grateful for the positive mindset the boys have each day. He’s eager to see that translate on the course during matches. 

“The thing I’ve enjoyed most about coaching this group is the energy that the boys have,” he said. “There’s a lot of desire to get better and that’s all we can ask for.”