When Tyler Bismarck and the Nature Coast boys golf team tee off on Monday, the Sharks will embark on their toughest task of the season. So far, they haven’t had much reason to fret. First they finished the regular season 14-0-1. Then last Monday, they claimed the Class 2A, District 13 crown at their home course of Silverthorn.
But this time around, in the 2A-Region V Tournament at Lexington Oaks Golf Club in Wesley Chapel, Nature Coast will a face stiff challenge as it attempts to move on to the FHSAA Finals at the month’s end.
For Bismarck, he’s hoping to build on his performance at districts, when the sophomore shot a round of 42-39—81, taking first place overall, just ahead of teammate Mickey Dono with a 42-40—82. “I’m just really focused on getting out there everyday and working hard getting ready for regionals,” Bismarck said. “I’m pretty excited about it. I know I have a chance to do really well. I’m just practicing like I’ve done all year.”
This is Bismarck’s second trip to regionals, as he shot 48-44—92 as a freshman when the entire Nature Coast team advanced after winning the districts. Bismarck shot 93 in the 2014 district tourney, and finished the season with a nine-hole average of 46.3. “I really wasn’t happy with my freshman year,” Bismarck said. “Coming into it I was feeling really good about it. The summer before I performed well. It wasn’t what I thought it would be, but it was a huge learning experience and that’s what I took away from it.”
He had the opportunity to play with then senior Jake Arnett, who ending up becoming the first Shark to ever qualify for states. “It was a great learning experience. He’s a really good player,” Bismarck said. “He’s a good guy. He taught me quite a few things. I respect him in every way. I want to fill the gap he left. Him leaving was a pretty big impact on our team. But I think I stepped up. It was really a goal for me to step up and I think I accomplished that.”
“It was nice to have them pushing each other,” Nature Coast head coach Tom Brown said. “Tyler had a chance to step out of Jake’s shadow and he’s making the most of it.” Bismarck paced the county during the regular season with an average of 40.6, according to Hernandosport.com.
“It’s gone pretty good,” Bismarck said. “I’ve completed a few of the goals I set at the beginning of the season. We’re undefeated, district champs. I was really excited to lead this team.”
“I tend to think that kids that get to his level, the first thing it takes a lot of talent. A lot of dedication,” Brown said. “Plus doing it the right way. Playing the ball down, not taking shortcuts, playing by the rules… He has a lot of intensity and he’s done a lot of hard work. That’s where the success is coming from.”
Bismarck once played football and baseball in Hernando Youth League and didn’t get seriously into golfing until his sixth-grade year at Parrott Middle School. Once he got started on the links, he decided he wanted to focus on that one sport. Through that commitment, he has managed to hone his game to the point it’s paying the current dividends. “I think my swing has gotten pretty solid over the past few months,” Bismarck said. “The biggest key to if I’m on or not is in my short game… I have a pretty smooth swing the majority of the time. I hit a lot of greens. But my short game is the most important. It’s the same way for a lot of people’s games.”
Going to states would be another benchmark that Bismarck would like to reach. Even if it doesn’t happen this year, he still has plenty of time to make that a reality. “I definitely think he’s going to improve,” Brown said. “He’s a getting a lot smarter on the course. Early in the season he was struggling, now he’s coming into his own. I think he could potentially qualify for states.”
Regardless of how this season finishes out, Bismarck wants to keep moving forward. “I’m going to be out there working hard and keep enjoying the game and doing well with it,” Bismarck said. “My biggest goal is to play collegiate golf… I need to keep progressing my game, improving every day and I think I’m on the right track to accomplish that goal.”
