As members of Guilford’s golf team take to the green at their home course at Cardinal Golf & Country Club, they are in a mentally taxing and grueling battle for a varsity spot, an honor only given to the top five golfers. After a total of 126 exhausting holes, sophomore Henry Smith was tied for fifth place, putting him in a varsity position.

After five sudden deaths, Smith came out on top, making his first appearance in the top five.

“The main basis (for top five) is qualifying scores which consists of seven rounds (126 holes), to start the fall semester,” said Head Golf Coach Corey Maggard. “The top five is interchangeable, but Henry came back from summer a very much improved golfer and made the lineup.”

The format for college golf is playing five players and keeping the four best scores. The weekend of Sept. 29 was Smith’s debut at the Gordin Collegiate Classic in Columbus, Ohio. The team finished sixth out of 12 teams in the tournament.

“Last year on the team I was more along for the ride than anything,” said Henry. “I worked hard over the summer. It was an awesome feeling knowing I made top five.”

With the work ethic that Smith has developed, it is clear that his hard work has paid off. He spent his summer working on his game back at home in Edgartown, Mass. at the Edgartown Golf Club.

“Henry is much more consistent this year out on the course,” said Maggard. “He doesn’t make the big mistakes like he did last year.”

Sophomore Ben Strozier spent the summer with Henry and was able to witness his hard work and dedication to the improvement of his game.

“Henry would go to the golf course working to improve his game and he wouldn’t leave the golf course until it was completely dark,” said Strozier. “He was playing, taking lessons and working on his game day in and day out.”

Like any sport, it had to start somewhere. During a phone interview, Henry’s father, Hank Smith, revealed how his son became involved with golf.

“I played golf myself and would take him out on the course with me,” said Smith. “He ended up riding the golf cart around the entire time.”

Henry attended Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, where he was coached by Doug DeBettencourt.

“Henry was a good student and an outstanding golfer on my team,” said DeBettencourt. “He had excellent leadership skills and had the respect of his peers.”

Although golf is viewed as an individual sport, the team has a strong bond on and off the course. Henry is considered an encouraging teammate and the team has high hopes for him.

“Henry’s work ethic is the real thing that has changed from last year to this year,” said sophomore Drew Thompson. “I think Henry will do very well this year. He has gained confidence and always has a good attitude on the golf course.”

“He does a good job of staying positive which rubs off on the rest of us,” said sophomore Nick Shedd. “He keeps us all laughing, which allows us to stay loose and get into a good mindset before we tee off.”

Assistant Coach Andrew Tilley has had a chance to witness firsthand the different ways Henry is improving and has nothing but positive things to say.

“Coach Maggard has been working with Henry on different aspects of his game to change his weaknesses to strengths,” said Tilley. “I really look forward to watching his progress throughout the year.”

The season has just teed off and only high hopes remain for Henry, as well as the rest of the team.

“My goal individually is to play well enough to stay in the top five,” said Henry. “As a team, my goal is to win as many tournaments as possible.”