Louisiana Tech’s A.E. Phillips Laboratory School is known for its visionary faculty and curriculum, but it’s about to add one more item to its repertoire: golf.

A golf team for students in the sixth through eighth grades will form this year, headed by physical education teacher Casey Blalock.

“We are still in the initial stages of planning,” Blalock said. “We have many students in sixth through eighth grades who play golf. Also, with this pandemic, golf is a sport in which players can be socially distanced and also enjoy being outside.”

Blalock, an avid golfer, said the team will start practicing this winter and will play four to five tournaments in north Louisiana and a championship within this academic year.

“I’m excited to get started and look forward to learning more about our student athletes,” Blalock said.

Once students graduate from AEP in the eighth grade, they will also have the chance to play golf at Ruston High School and in college as well.

“I think golf is a life skill students can play throughout their lives,” Blalock said. “It’s also an individual sport where players have to hold themselves accountable. There are not umpires or referees, so players have to learn the meaning of honesty and integrity. Players have to call penalties on themselves.”

Jenny Blalock, director of AEP, said the golf team was just one more way to offer students another extracurricular exercise other than their current cross country and basketball teams.

“We are continuously brainstorming ways to enhance AEP and the experience for our students,” she said. “We believe the addition of a golf team will give even more students an opportunity to participate in an extracurricular activity.”  

Casey Blalock added that the sport will offer students a way to stay active during winter months.

“Students have to walk as they are playing and carry their own clubs,” he said. “Walking nine holes, up and down hills for 3-3.5 miles is a great way to exercise.”

Blalock said about 8-10 kids are interested in the team so far, and he is ready to get started.

“I have been teaching P. E. here at AEP since 2007 and have coached multiple sports throughout the years,” he said. “I just enjoying teaching and sports.”

For more information, contact AEP at 318.257.3469 or at bullpup@aep.latech.edu.