Rykerson Gough to continue athletic and academic career at Lincoln Trail College
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By Daniel L. Chamness
Rykerson Gough, a Tuscola senior, has some advantages in the sport of golf most athletes will not, and do not, have.
The fact that the Warrior golfer can claim not only his older brother (Brayden Gough) as a college golfer, but his mother (Angie Gough) is the Tuscola golf coach and has been for the last five years.
“Some people think that having you mom as your coach would make it easier on you,” said the recent Lincoln Trail College signee. “But, realistically, I was on a tighter leash than anyone else. My mom always had higher expectations for me and always pushes me to do better.”
While a few schools were recruiting Gough, his final two were LTC and Saint Mary of the Woods in Terre Haute, Ind.
“I selected LTC for numerous reasons, one of the biggest was the fact that gave me a great financial package that covers everything,” said Gough. “Also Robinson is close to my home and my family. The third reason is the coach (Jay Prindable) is the type of coach I want to play for.”
Gough ended his senior year by finishing with an 18-hole stroke count at the Illinois High School Association Class 1A Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin Regional of 92. He was the second scoring golfer for the Warriors. They would finish sixth of the 14 teams in the regional, posting a collective team score of 370. A score of 349 or better was needed to advance to the sectional. Only three teams advanced to the sectional from the BHRA Regional.
“My best moment during my high school occurred at the regional,” reported Gough. “I hit a hole-in-one on the eighth hole at Turtle Run Golf Club in Danville. As far as my best performance overall, that would be a nine-hole score of 36 at Iron Horse Golf Course in Tuscola.”
For his efforts on the golf course, he was named the Warrior Most Valuable Player as a junior and senior year. As a junior, he was also named the Warrior Spirit Award for golf. He earned the spirit award for basketball as a senior.
The son of Angie Gough of Tuscola and Rick Gough of Ashmore has been a consistent on the honor roll. With about two months remaining until graduation, he carries a grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Academically, he will be seeking a Associates Degree in Business Administration.
“I want to let Coach (Jay) Prindable know he is getting an exceptional human being in Rykerson,” said Justin Bozarth, Tuscola’s Principal and Gough’s basketball coach. “He has been nearly perfect in everything he has done at Tuscola as a student and an athlete. We look forward to following your journey at LTC.”
Lincoln Trail competes at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II level in the sport of golf. They compete in the Mid-West Athletic Conference for all sports.
“After two years at LTC, I hope I get a chance to play two more years at a four-year school,” said Gough. “I am going to miss Tuscola and the community support this town has for all of the Warriors. I want to put God first, establish connections with the team and coaches, develop with new advice and work hard to become a top scorer for team. I think if I listen to the coaches and older/better teammates, they will help me become a better golfer.”