Since picking up a golf club at the age of eight through the final hole at the Class 2A state championship golf tournament, Isaac Latta has learned that golf is not a game of perfect. 

“Someday’s the best part of my game is my short game, sometime it’s the long game,” replied the 2021 Keys Cougar senior. “You just have to take the best of every day, go with it and trust your God given ability.”

Playing in just five tournaments this spring, Latta claimed medalist honors twice while finishing third in another event.

According to his coach, Dick Goss, a personal practice routine proved Latta’s desire to win.

“They have a green at the house with several different areas to tee off from so he can gain confidence in choosing the right club,” Goss said. “His practice habits and persistence gave him a chance to make the best of his high school career.”

The competitiveness of Latta and his desire to master the game resulted in reaching the state tournament three times with only the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the pandemic keeping Latta from a four-time qualification.

“Making the state tournament was a goal of mine. After last year’s cancellation, I just kept the same mentality to try my hardest to advance to state this year.”

Competing against the best golfers in Class 2A, Latta proved his endurance and grit after a slow start in the first of three rounds to keep his eye focused on the target.

“My putting was keeping me from posting a good score the first 18 holes,” explained Latta. “The last 36 holes I had to focus and make every putt count.

When the final scores were posted, Latta’s perseverance resulted in a Top 10 finish to earn Class 2A All-State honors allowing him to compete this summer in the annual East vs. West competition during the All-State games in July.

With his tassel moved to signify graduation and completion of his high school career, Latta stands ready to meet the future with a desire to become a mail carrier.  He’ll continue to take his steps with confidence because of a commitment to following the advice of his preacher.

“Brother Roger Haney once said ‘one bad choice can ruin your life and destroy the hearts of the ones that love you’,” Latta said while tapping his heart. “Just like golf, it’s important to me because it reminds me not to do things the right way.”

With the heart of a champion and knowing the importance of hard work, Isaac Latta will keep his golf ball as well as his life in the fairway of success.