Parcell Cuts 50 Strokes off Score for the Season

SEELEY LAKE – Seeley-Swan High School senior Wrangell Parcell was the sole golfer this year for the Seeley-Swan Blackhawks. He shaved 50 strokes off his score from last year and appreciated the one-on-one instruction from Head Coach Wayne Cahoon.

Parcell ran track in elementary school. He said he hated running and was always toward the back at the meets.

He went out for golf as a freshman. Cahoon told him he had state potential and he was a natural.

"I didn't think I would like it but it turns out it was something I really liked and enjoyed. I'm the only one in my family who ever golfed. Everyone else did track," said Parcell.

During his freshman, sophomore and junior year, Parcell was on the team but never made the cut for the five-person team for the away meets. He got to play during the home meets on the Double Arrow course.

"Last year we had three coaches and they would help people as much as they could," said Parcell, "[After rotating through the other players] they didn't get to me all that often."

This year Parcell was Cahoon's only golfer. Parcell worked on technique, improving his swing and the proper swing to help him get out of the sandpits that used to cost him strokes.

"It was definitely the one-on-one time with the coach that helped me bring my score down," said Parcell.

Parcell played in nine meets starting the year off by bettering his 155 score by eight strokes.

He really enjoyed all the meets even though some were chilly and windy. His best meet was May 3 in St. Regis.

"I was hitting really good getting close to par on each hole and doing good," said Parcell.

"I enjoyed being able to play a lot more than I was previously able to do."

Because of the weather, Parcell was never able to practice on a course. His best score was 105, missing the state qualifying score of 100 by five.

"I bet if I had [been out on the course like in years past] I would have made it to State," said Parcell.

"Wrangell had a great year," said Cahoon. "He started off the year with a 147 and ended up with 105. He worked hard and practiced hard and did a good job."

Playing for the Blackhawks has given Parcell a new appreciation for the sport and he really enjoys it. He looks forward to continuing to play as finances will allow.