Kiefer High School golfer Blake Stopp has learned that success on the course demands patience, perseverance and the ability to adjust when things do not go as planned. The varsity standout says golf has taught him one lesson above all: “to adapt and overcome in situations that don’t go your way.”
Stopp, who represents Kiefer on the boy’s golf team, said the camaraderie within the program is what keeps him motivated during long practices and tough rounds. “The thing I love most about my team and teammates at Kiefer is how encouraging and supportive they are,” he said. One of those steady voices is teammate Cameron Bowman, whom Stopp calls the team’s most vocal presence and a leader who “always hypes us up.”
On the course, Stopp has focused on sharpening his short game heading into this season. “The biggest improvement to my game coming into this season is my chipping,” he said, noting that touch around the greens often separates a solid round from a frustrating one. He also points to his 60-degree wedge as his favorite club. “It’s satisfying when you hit it and the ball hits the green and drops in the hole,” Stopp said.
Still, he knows golf remains one of the most demanding sports mentally. “The most difficult thing about competing in golf is all of it,” Stopp said. “When you think you have mastered a technique one day, the next day you might not get it.”
Away from competition, Stopp enjoys spending time with his girlfriend and going fishing, a low-key outlet that complements the pressure of tournament play. In the classroom, he lists science as his favorite subject and credits teacher Mrs. Sexson for taking extra time to ensure her students understand the material before moving on.
Stopp said he draws inspiration from his dad, whose determination and resilience set a daily example. “My dad inspires me with his will to keep going no matter the circumstance,” Stopp said, a mindset he tries to carry into every round for the Trojans.
