March 4, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Five Question Friday with SJO Golf Coach Jeff Kern

How cool is it for the team to do so well at the regional tournament?
It was awesome for the team to do so well at Regionals.
We only missed first by six stokes which is amazing.
We have come a long way and other teams know we are there to play when we show up.
    
 What was it like for you, both as a dad and a coach, to see Jacob win the regional?
I will never forget that moment when he walked off of the 18th green at Regionals.   It’s pretty hard to explain what was going through my head but I have a picture that someone took us shaking hands and hugging and I am going to have that on my desk forever.    I’ve seen the hard work that he has put into it so I knew he was capable. At one point he was two under par but he did not realize he was four or five strokes in the lead too.  When you are shooting that well, it is a very stressful place to be because mentally, you are trying to stay there and know that the competitors are hoping you don’t.  Golf is unusual because there are no time outs, no substitutions, and once you start, you are on your own. 
Jacob does a great job keeping calm when he plays, it’s really hard to tell how he is doing unless you are really watching him play.  Seeing it play out the way it did was amazing, we are very proud of him.


  How much progress has the team made from the first meet back in August to now?
The team has made amazing progress.  Scores have been good this season and the boys played well when it counted.  I think most importantly their confidence has improved this season and they know they have great potential.   


 How much do you think this outcome will help the program moving forward?
Hopefully the success we have had will draw more people into Golf at SJO. 
We really need to keep people involved if we want to continue to move forward.


 Why do you like coaching golf at SJO?
Coaching Golf at SJO has been an honor and something I don’t take lightly.  I really enjoy just being apart of the team and providing opportunities for kids to play.
 

Banner
Related Posts

DeJarnette to lead soccer program at SJO

May 21, 2020

May 21, 2020

Bill DeJarnette is no stranger to the St. Joseph-Ogden soccer program. DeJarnette was the first coach of the SJO soccer...

Hamilton, relay team win state titles as Spartans place third

May 21, 2019

May 21, 2019

Bringing state trophies home isn’t an easy task. But the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ track and field team sure...

Mattsey, Plotner key strong starts for SJO cross-country

September 10, 2019

September 10, 2019

The Chrisman Cow Chip Classic features seven different waves of runners. Run over a pasture near Chrisman High School, hence...

SJO boys’ track and field looks to build upon past success

April 2, 2019

April 2, 2019

Jason Retz is no stranger to success when it comes to St.Joseph-Ogden High School athletics. The sixth-year coach of the...

SJO heading to state in boys track and field

June 17, 2021

June 17, 2021

By Jim Cotter After not having any kind of a season in 2020, the St. Joseph-Ogden boys track and field...

Jacob, Cramer and steady defense spark SJO girls’ basketball ahead of difficult stretch this week

January 13, 2020

January 13, 2020

The race for first place in the Illini Prairie Conference is in full swing. And the St. Joseph-Ogden High School...

SJO girls’ basketball stays close, but loses first two games

November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023

Playing in the Illini Prairie Conference means the St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ basketball team will get tested during conference games each...

Mattsey, Knott leading SJO boys’ track and field this spring

May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021

Almost a month into its first full outdoor season since 2019 and theSt. Joseph-Ogden boys’ track and field team has...

Full day of basketball on tap at SJO as Christie Clinic Shootout returns Saturday

January 7, 2022

January 7, 2022

The Christie Clinic Shootout is back at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. The 14-team, seven-game boys’ basketball event starts at 11...

Berry, Bigger help power SJO volleyball to five straight wins

September 26, 2019

September 26, 2019

Heading into Thursday night’s home showdown with St. Thomas More, the St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team has won five straight matches....

Cramer, Lannert spark SJO girls’ basketball to fifth at State Farm Holiday Classic

January 3, 2020

January 3, 2020

Close games. Again. Clutch moments. Again. The small-school State Farm Holiday Classic had all of these attributes — and more...

Student section brings the enthusiasm versus Olympia

March 10, 2021

March 10, 2021

Over the past year, students at St. Joseph-Ogden High School have endured many different changes in their lives during the...

First night game in program history in books, SJO soccer looks to continue successful start

September 11, 2023

September 11, 2023

The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team was scheduled to play Uni High on Thursday, Aug. 24. At a normal time for...

Born to dance: Hess takes passion with her to SIUE

May 30, 2019

May 30, 2019

Kaitlyn Hess has danced nearly all of her life. The recent St. Joseph-Ogden High School graduate will continue to do...

Cohen, Seeley help guide SJO soccer to win

September 30, 2019

September 30, 2019

With less than two weeks left in the regular season, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School soccer team picked up a...

Comments
Leave a Reply