February 21, 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

SJO softball vies for 11th straight regional title on Saturday

May 16, 2019

May 16, 2019

A year ago, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team defeated Maroa-Forsyth to win a Class 2A sectional title. On...

SJO volleyball shines in first week

August 28, 2023

August 28, 2023

High expectations surround the St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball program every fall. That’s what happens when regular-season success and postseason success seem...

SJO to host first-round playoff game

October 22, 2022

October 22, 2022

The St. Joseph-Ogden football team (6-3) will host Robinson (6-3) in the first round of the IHSA Class 3A football...

SJO softball’s senior night set for Monday as Spartans try to end skid

May 6, 2019

May 6, 2019

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team will try to end a two-game losing skid and score its first runs...

Spartan Classic up next after Mattsey, Plotner run well in Peoria

September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

It’s the only chance for St. Joseph residents to see the St. Joseph-Ogden High School cross-country teams in action in...

5 question Friday with SJO Tennis Coach Kevin Martlage

October 14, 2022

October 14, 2022

We asked SJO Tennis Coach Kevin Martlage five questions. Here are his answers. What does it mean to you to...

SJO awaits guidance from IHSA

January 27, 2021

January 27, 2021

St. Joseph-Ogden High School is anticipating getting additional guidance from the IHSA today regarding the start of high school sports...

SJO5k Results for July 30, 2022

August 1, 2022

August 1, 2022

Name City Bib No Age Gender Age Group Total Time Pace 1 Austin Bridgman Potomac IL 632 22 M 1:Open...

Michael looking to the future with coaching job

August 23, 2019

August 23, 2019

Nate Michael spent his youth playing basketball in every form.  After graduating this spring from McKendree University, the 6-foot-3, 180-pound...

SJO girls’ basketball wins tournament title in Fisher

December 2, 2019

December 2, 2019

The St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ basketball team already has a tournament championship to its name this season, but the Spartans are...

Frick, Brooks deliver, but SJO girls’ basketball loses twice

January 16, 2023

January 16, 2023

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team kept it close in its two Illini Prairie Conference games last week,...

Orcutt named Student Athlete of the Month

January 30, 2019

January 30, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden senior Joel Orcutt isn’t just a standout basketball player. He is also an artist. “I enjoy doing art...

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...

Spartans kick off season with 1-1 record

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2021

SJO 28-Pontiac 0 The Spartans dominated on both sides of the line of scrimmage in defeating the Indians 28-0 in...

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...

Comments
Leave a Reply