There is a dynasty starting to brew on Chaminade Drive, and it starts on the back of senior Bubba Chapman. The Chaminade golf team has proven to be a force to be reckoned with, as they have won state 2 of the last 3 years. Last year they won on a missed putt by Rockhurst on the last hole of the state tournament. They were led to that point by John Guerra and Bubba Chapman. Bubba won the individual state title, and John played some great golf as well. It was a magical run. But now, they have a target on their back and have something to prove this year. They lost John, as he graduated, as well as another senior Clayton Becher. This year, the team is looking for some young talent to step up and fill in some big roles. People like Tim Lane, Eric Ewing, Tatman Bahr, and Caden Fehr are guys looking to slot in for those roles.

Tim Lane looks to join the varsity roster and start this year as he was on JV last year. I talked to Tim, a junior, and he said, “I think that I have a real shot. I am confident in my game and think that I could help the team succeed.”

When talking to Bubba Chapman, I asked him a few questions about his expectations, and the up-and-coming players where he told me this, “We’re gonna win. We are really good. We’ve got a lot of great players in every grade, and we got a lot of talent. We are ready are ready to roll. We are buzzing.” 

He also sounds confident in a new young player when asked what young talent he is excited to bring onto the team. He said, “I think we are going to pull up sophomore, Eric Ewing. I think he has a lot of talent and he works very hard. It feels like he has that touch. It feels like every time I play with him he comes through in the big moments and I think he is going to make our top 5 and help us win state.”

A confident Bubba told me his expectations as a senior leader and his goals are obvious. Champions or bust.