LA Golf Says Farewell To Lone Senior

The end of the golf regular season means final rounds for Livingston Academy head coach Buddy Sells and his lone senior golfer Isaac Keller.

Keller said he began playing golf in 8th grade thanks to his dad. Sells said Keller had an instant attraction to golf that has lasted through the years.

“I really appreciate him sticking with golf,” Sells said. “I have enjoyed watching him grow and get better each and every year. He’s improved and I hope he continues to keep playing after he graduates.”

On the weekends, Keller said he and his dad try to play as much golf as they can at his favorite course Hidden Valley. He said that meeting new people and playing new courses are highlights of playing high school golf, but the thing he will remember the most is his time outside in nature.

“It’s kind of really refreshing, like a brain wash, just being out in nature away from everything,” Keller said. “It’s really kind of important to me and helped me see things in a different way.”

Early on in playing golf, Keller said his emotions would swing wildly during rounds and that his temper would flare up. He said that experience was the best teacher in this scenario and he learned to shift his focus from what previously happened to what is next.

Sells said that golf is not a welcoming game to newcomers and that he is glad that Keller stuck with golf. He said that Keller is a smart young man who uses his intelligence on and off the course.

“Academically he’s done really well,” Sells said. “It puts a lot of stress on someone. Playing golf and having to miss so many days and making sure you keep that focus on academics. I’m just proud of Isaac overall and think he’s done really well. Came from humble beginnings and worked his way to where he is now.”

Keller said that Sells is always there for him and he credits his swing improvements to Sells.