Poteau High School’s Cael Terry
Poteau High School freshman golfer Cael Terry is already learning that success in his sport is built one disciplined swing at a time. The ninth grader leans on his tight-knit family, his teammates and countless hours of practice as he works to take his game to the next level.
Terry said his biggest inspiration starts at home, where his parents have always supported his athletic dreams. “My parents inspire me because they would drop anything for my athletics,” Terry said. “They always made sure I came first, and I could not be more thankful for them.” That foundation has helped him navigate the challenges of competitive golf at a young age.
In the classroom, Terry gravitates toward history, and he credits a middle school English teacher with helping shape his approach as a student-athlete. His favorite subject is history, and he points to Mrs. Terry, his seventh grade ELA teacher, as a standout educator who made an impact on him. Balancing academics and athletics are an ongoing lesson, but he said both have taught him to stay focused and keep working.
On the course, Terry is a versatile player who trusts his 3-iron more than any other club in the bag. “My favorite club in my bag is my 3 iron because I can hit any shot with it,” he said. He has also turned a former weakness into a strength by putting extra time into his wedge play. “I have worked the hardest on my wedges,” Terry said. “They used to be the worst part of my game. Now I feel like it’s one of the better parts of my game.”
Terry’s home away from home is Choctaw Country Club, his favorite place to tee it up. He has lived down the road from the course his whole life and said the friendly atmosphere makes every round enjoyable. “This is my favorite course to play because it’s my home course, and I have lived down the road from it my whole life,” Terry said. “It seems as if all the members are friends and I love playing out there.” His best round so far is a 75, which he shot there during what began as a casual day on the course.
Golf is not Terry’s only passion. Away from tournaments and team practices, he enjoys spending time outdoors hunting. Still, the sport has become one of his greatest teachers. “Athletics has taught me a lot especially in golf because it takes so much practice to get a tiny bit better,” he said. “It always taught me to never give up and stay disciplined.”
Terry looks up to professional golfer Rory McIlroy, whose persistence on one of golf’s biggest stages resonates with him. “My favorite golfer is Rory McIlroy because he never gave up, especially in the Masters,” Terry said. “He had never won it until last year when he finally got it done. It was very inspirational.” Surrounded by a strong support system and a close group of teammates he describes as a brotherhood; Terry is determined to keep grinding and see how far the game can take him.
