With the Robinson golf season now underway, one player has stuck out in particular. This year marks James Arong’s third season on the golf team, and it’s shaping up to be his best one yet.
“This season has definitely been the best of my high school career. I’ve had some extremely close rounds here and there,” Arong (’27) said. “Compared to my freshman and sophomore seasons, it just doesn’t compare”.
For Arong, golf has been a long journey, with this season coming as the culmination of years of effort and hard work.
“When I first started [playing], it was just a game. It was a hobby that I would do on the weekends. I never expected myself to be at this level, so many years later,” Arong said. “Quarantine is when I really started getting into it, and just experimenting and grinding in my own way.”
For Arong, golf isn’t just a hobby or a sport to put on his resume; it’s a lifestyle. Outside of school, he enjoys practicing his game, hitting drives and watching golf, both in person and on TV.
“I watch professional golf, and I’ve even been able to see some in person. I’ve gotten to see Scotty Scheffler, Tiger Woods and his son Charlie Woods, among others,” Arong said. “When I have time to practice, I normally work just on whatever feels right that day and based on past results. Like last match, my putting was down, so that’s what I practiced.”
After nearly a decade of playing golf, Arong has finally found his rhythm. Now, he’s helping use his expertise and knowledge of the game to help his teammates improve and succeed as he takes up a leadership role.
“I would say being nominated as captain and being given the honor of first seed built confidence and also helped me get over that hump,” Arong said. “Now, I want to help my teammates.”
Despite it being his first year as captain, his teammates are already enjoying his contributions to the team and learning from his extensive experience and skill.
“James is a great teammate and friend to have,” RHS golf team member AJ Katragunta (’27) said. “He’s been on the team the longest and shoots the best. He has helped me tweak my swing numerous times and is a great coach to everyone on the team.”
With many players on the golf team having limited or no experience before joining, having a senior member able to give leadership is crucial toward the development of the team. By having Arong help teach players, not only does it foster a stronger team culture around a leadership figure, but it also helps underclassmen grow and learn to hopefully one day lead the teams themselves.
No one has seen Arong grow more than Coach Kevin McCray. As the head of the golf team, McCray has been able to see his development and look back on how far he’s come.
“Overall, James is probably my hardest working golfer ever,” McCray said. “He’s really progressed from, you know, a kid that played golf. He’s really starting to get into the more elite level.”
Despite being three years into his high school golf career, Arong feels as though he’s just getting started with the sport.
“I’m aiming for college offers. I feel as though I’ve elevated my game to the point where I could get noticed,” Arong said. “Even if I don’t play college golf, which is very rigorous, I still want to be top-tier level talent and keep this consistency going.”
For Arong, the journey to success has been a long and difficult one. It has taken almost half of his life, countless hours, and dozens of unwanted results to get to where he is now. But now that he’s finally able to show the world just how good he really is, he’s showing no signs of slowing down. For Arong, the sky’s the limit, and Robinson can’t wait to see what he’ll do next.
