For the past 30 years, Clarence Smith has been at the helm of the Mount Pleasant golf program. But after three decades, Smith has decided to retire, both from his coaching position and from his day job as an elementary teacher.
"I'm going to retire from teaching, and I also want to retire from the coaching part after 30 years to spend more time with family," Smith said.
Smith began his teaching career at Norvelt Elementary School 40 years ago, and 10 years later, he signed on as the Vikings' golf coach. Back then, he explained, the game was a little different.
"I started in 1972, and at that time, players played 18 holes of golf against their opponent," he said. "It was match play. Whoever won on the first nine holes received one point, and whoever won on the back nine holes received a point. Whichever player won the most holes overall received another point, so each starter could win three points."
Smith said school officials weren't happy with the lengthy matches taking players away from classes, so the current nine-hole was implemented somewhere around 1982.
Whether it was 18 holes or nine, though, Smith's Mount Pleasant teams have always seemed to find a way to win.
"We've won 18 section championships," he said, noting that the most recent title was clinched in the 2000 season.
Smith said watching his players improve is one of the things he'll miss about coaching.
"I'll always miss seeing the players progress in their skills as golfers and also become successful after graduation," Smith said. "I've seen so many players become successful, and I believe golf had a big impact on that because of the character, hard work and sportsmanship that they develop."
Smith recalled seeing numerous players advance to the state tournament over the years, and he said a high percentage of his players have gone on to college and even pursued golf-related careers in marketing, management, or as club professionals.
"It's been very satisfying," he said. "I'm very grateful for the community support and the support of the management at various golf courses throughout the area. All the courses take a deep interest in junior golf. All of them are really so supportive."
Local golf courses' interest in junior golf will come in handy for Smith, who despite his retirement, will still be promoting the sport.
"I want to take part in promoting junior golf, so I'll be out in the neighborhood," Smith said. He added that he would also like to see a girls golf team be established in the next year or two.
Those interests should keep Smith busy, and as for the future of Mount Pleasant golf, he isn't worried.
"I believe we'll have a solid program in the future because each year, we have more and more junior golfers getting involved. And many of them are starting to practice at an earlier age," he said. "And there are many junior tournaments to take part in over the summer."
So, even though Smith will no longer coach the Vikings, it seems as though he won't become a stranger to young golfers anytime soon.
