Boys' golf coach of the year

DICK CASTLE

PINE CREEK

Years coaching: 14

Years at school: 12

Reason behind coaching: He stresses that part of teaching is coaching — it only occurs in a different arena — and that coaching and teaching go hand in hand.

Day job: Advanced Placement Chemistry and Honors Chemistry teacher

Family: Wife (Erika) and two daughters (Heather, 19, and Amanda, 15)

Hometown: Colorado Springs

Alma mater: Colorado School of Mines

Favorite moment as a coach: With a berth in the Class 5A state tournament on the line, he watched as his team edged Highlands Ranch on the second hole of an eight-person playoff at regionals. “When we won on the second playoff hole, that was pretty gratifying,” Castle said.

Easiest way to find your doghouse: “With golf, it’s not handling your academic responsibilities.” Players who fail to perform in the classroom are relegated to chipping or putting and not allowed to hit drivers on the range.

Key to winning: “It’s having great players. At Pine Creek, we’ve been blessed to have excellent golfers.”

From a player’s eyes: “He really knows how to keep players focused on the game. We have fun, but he makes it a competition.” — Ben Krueger, senior