As he approaches the tee, the only thing going through his mind is that he has to beat his opponent. From the loud screams of the court to the quiet sounds of nature, Eddie Balanon has to transition from two very different sports.

“I just wanted another sport. It’s calm and relaxing and gets your mind off of things,” said Balanon when asked about the shift from basketball to golf.

When his grandfather first took him to the course, he wasn’t hooked. Then his uncle started to teach him and that’s when he knew golf was going to be a big part of his life.

Balanon started to play with his uncle when he was only 4 and that was when he knew he was interested and played until he was in the fifth grade.

“At first it was intimidating, but you’re playing with people your age,” he said.

As a freshman Balanon thought that not only was he ready for the sport but he was determined to try and be the best. With all the years of experience he has made a lot of friends, especially senior Paul Carranco.

“(Once) we were at the par 3, he hit a ball high into the air and it hit the water,” Carranco said. “We went to go look for it and it hit a fish. He killed a fish.”

This shows how much fun they have and shows that he is serious and lighthearted towards some of the younger players or even players that started when they were seniors. Carranco said if you ever have a bad game that he would come up to you and tell you to just keep your head up.

“Tiger is my inspiration and I try and get as many tips from him while I watch him on T.V.,” said Balanon when describing the profession of a great golfer Tiger Woods.

Recently, he has been awarded most valuable player for golf and has been to sections all his four years of high school. He plans on going to community college and playing golf and then move on to a four-year college.

Balanon knew when he first went to the golf course with his grandfather and uncle that he would have fun but what he didn’t know is that he would play for life.

“Basketball you have multiple opponents, in golf you have one..the course.”