Keller junior Kaelen Dulany recently etched his name in the school record book, firing a two-day total of 138 to become the school’s first golfer to earn a 6A state golf title.
In earning his title, the University of Arkansas recruit overcame a two-stroke deficit on his way to a final overall score of 138 at Legacy Hills Golf Club in Georgetown.
“It means a lot because Keller has had some really good golfers in the past that have gone on to play college and pro golf,” Dulany told the Star-Telegram. “To be the first one to achieve this is very special.”
Dulany credited Coach Chris Ball with helping him remain calm and focused on his ultimate goal amid a few challenging rounds.
After a bogey at the ninth hole, Dulany saw another tee shot drift far from the hole before a consultation with Ball seemed to do the trick.
“Kaelen called me over and said ‘should I play this shot or do a drop,’” Ball said. “I said do a drop and have a good day tomorrow. “Kaelen is not one to back down and he doesn’t beat himself up.”
Dulany was also guided by the watchful eye of his father, Doug, a Keller assistant coach.
When all was said and done, Ball was left singing the praises of his junior star.
“It’s pretty special,” he said. “Obviously we were trying to win as a team, but having a state champ, I’ll never forget it being my first,” he said. “I remember a parent saying this season that Kaelen was the silent assassin. You never see him coming.”
Making their second state tournament appearance since Ball took over the program in 2007, Keller finished with a 591, just five strokes behind the second-place finisher.