5-under-par 66 is good in my book

Published 12:00 am Thursday, May 9, 2013

On Tuesday, I was clamoring for any sort of update on the Class 3A substate golf tournament.

So, when I want to get some quick information, I go to Facebook.

Having already logged in earlier that morning, I went to the Straughn booster club home page.

“Has Straughn finished its substate round?” I asked.

Not 16 minutes later, Brooks’ Rabren’s mom, Kim, answered: Brooks Rabren just now finished and he’s the very first player to do so. He had a Great round!! 5 under par 66!!!

I had to do a double-take on Brooks’ 5-under-par 66 round.

There aren’t many golfers in high school or in the pros who could say they shot a 66.

Rabren birdied six holes after making bogey on the first at Arrowhead Country Club to tally the low score. Not only will Rabren play in the state tournament next Monday and Tuesday in Muscle Shoals, but the rest of the Straughn Tiger contingent will as well.

Late in the day when I was trying to finish up my page, I finally managed to get a hold of Brooks on the phone.

The SHS sophomore sounded excited about what he had accomplished, and was eager to get back to work for next week.

His bogey on hole No. 1, Rabren said, helped set the tone for the rest of the match.

He said it helped him to get “free” and just play the game like usual.

Shooting a 5-under-par 66 isn’t normal, in my opinion, especially when it comes from such a young player.

At least Straughn has two or more years to see what this young man and his teammates can do on the course.

For now, carding a 66 at substate is in the past for Rabren.

The future and the state tournament awaits.