Editor’s note: This letter was sent to the Star-News on Tuesday by fax.

Dear Editor,

One week ago today, the Straughn golf team concluded another successful season. Although the entire team missed another trip to the state championships by one stroke, we did have an individual qualify.

Brooks Rabren, the defending Class 3A state champion, came close to another title. He finished only two strokes behind the eventual winner from Bayside Academy.

With this being said, we could not have had the success that our program has had over the last three years without the help of the City of Andalusia and the staff at Evans Barnes Golf Course.

Jim Locklier and his staff have gone above and beyond creating an environment that is instrumental to winning.

Thanks to them, we have access to a topnotch practice facility and golf course without which a golf team cannot be successful.

This professionalism doesn’t stop when the golf season ends.

The City of Andalusia supports us year round by making their course and facilities available to the Straughn golf team.

We owe them a huge thank you for helping us to be a competitive force in the (Alabama High School Athletic Association) 3A golf program this year, and in the 4A classification next year.

I would be remised if I didn’t mention the role that Doug and Kim Rabren provide for our team.

Without their financial and logistical support, none of this would have been possible.

There may not seem like there is much to getting six boys and a girl to a golf course, but there is and it couldn’t have been done without their help.

Last but not least, to the support we received from the staff at SHS, thank you.

As most anyone can assume, the golf team doesn’t generate much revenue. As with most athletic teams in the postseason, most of the events are held out of town and there are expenses that go along with that. Somehow Mr. (John) Evers has always come up with the funds to cover these expenses.

As you can see, it takes a lot of cogs to make this machine runs smoothly.

To all of those “cogs,” I say thank you.

Mike Kelley

SHS golf coach