THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Van Buren High School Athletics

It doesn't take much for senior Hayden Hurst to get back into rhythm. The Van Buren baseball player and golfer says it is just a matter of time. "It's pretty tough to make that transition going from playing baseball during the summer right to golf," Hurst said. "Sometimes it takes about a week or two to get back, but it's a lot easier going from golf to baseball. "It's just a matter of getting the swing level." The two main differences between a golf club swing and a baseball bat swing are that both occur on different planes. Also, for one, the ball remains still and the other is being thrown towards the player. "There are definitely similarities but there are far more differences," Van Buren baseball coach Luke Weatherford said. "I've never been a believer that playing golf will negatively affect your baseball swing or vice versa." Hurst will factor into Weatherford's game plan next season. "We really didn't lose much, other than the best pitcher in the state (Connor Johnson)," Hurst said. "It'll be another prosperous year for us." Hurst, who is fresh off from the Van Buren baseball team winning the 5A West Conference and state titles, finished with an 85 in the tri-match against Greenwood and Alma on Aug. 30, 2021, at Ben Geren Golf Course. Van Buren edged out Greenwood by three strokes (324-327) to win the match. He also sees that the golf team can make the same run in October. "If we all focus on our own scores, we can put something together, come out solid, and have a good chance at winning the 5A West Conference title. I think we've been pretty solid this season," Hurst said. "I really think we can pull it off this year. I think if we can golf with consistency, be nice and calm, I think we got it." Hurst, whose brother was a former Van Buren standout, Jackson Hurst, made his first journey to the golf course with his grandpa and transformed his baseball swing into a golf swing. Having Hurst on the team for first-year golf coach James Lemley has helped him and the team. "He's a good kid and a hard worker. He's the leader of the team and kind of keeps everyone together. Just an all-around really good kid," Lemley said. "He keeps everything at a steady, even keel. He knows with to focus and when to bear down — to do those things you need to do to be a better golfer. At the same time, he knows when to keep it loose and to keep it fun." For Hurst, the golf atmosphere is "a bit more laid back, slower, and calmer" than baseball. He said that maintaining consistency has been important to his golf game. "I can't let the mind games take control of me," Hayden said.

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Van Buren High School Athletics

HAYDEN HURST TAKES ONE MORE SWING AT GOLF AND BASEBALL

GEORGE MITCHELL

SW Times | 9/5/2021