Calen Sanderson, a junior at Bensalem’s Holy Ghost Prep, isn’t one of the top teen golfers in the state by luck. According to coach Mark Walder, the Newtown native is “relentless” when it comes to his work ethic.
“There are many days throughout the summer where the weather will be lousy and the practice area will be empty, except for one person,” said Walder. “I’ll point that out to my players during lessons and say, ‘See Calen up at the short game area by himself? If you want to get to his level, you have to put in the work like he does.’ ”
On Oct. 20, that drive paid off big time, with Sanderson capturing the 2020 PIAA Class AAA state title by one shot over Chuck Tragresser, a senior at Franklin Regional who posted a 3-under-par 68.
Though Sanderson was two shots off the lead as he approached the 16th hole at Heritage Hills Golf Resort in York, he finished with a bang, making three consecutive birdies on the 16th, 17th and 18th holes. Sanderson’s winning score was a 4-under-par 67, which included eight birdies total.
Sanderson is the third Holy Ghost Prep golfer in the last six years to take home the state title, with past competitors including Steve Cerbara (2015) and Liam Hart (2017).
“It is definitely an awesome moment, and I am super happy to be able to have my name representing Holy Ghost and join the past champions,” he said. “I think adding my name to the list of guys that have won or contested in this championship is awesome. So many of these players have went on to play on the PGA tour or at a top college.”
Upon graduating from Holy Ghost Prep, Sanderson intends to play college-level golf at the University of Notre Dame. Here, he’ll join the ranks of Franklin Regional grad Palmer Jackson, who quickly became a standout on the team.
For Walder, his pupil’s success in York didn’t come as a complete surprise, even as Sanderson entered the 16th tee behind the lead.
“Calen is battle-tested. He plays in so many high-profile events across the country that he isn’t uncomfortable with those high-pressure situations,” Walder explained. “He had been hitting good shots all day and had a few bad breaks on a couple holes, so he knew he could finish strong.”
A passion for the game was ingrained in Sanderson at a young age. His father Colin, a former golf pro in South Africa, introduced his son to golf at 8 years old. Now, nearly a decade later, Sanderson has earned a coveted spot on the list of Pennsylvania high school state title winners, which includes giants like Arnold Palmer and Jim Furyk.
Walder expressed his pride in Sanderson, as well as Hart and Cerbara, who are paving the way for future young Holy Ghost golfers.
“Three state champions in six years is an unbelievable feat for one school,” he said. “The fact that it was three different players makes it a statistical anomaly. I can’t even fathom what the odds are for that. It speaks to the character of the kids who attend Holy Ghost. Steve, Liam and Calen have very different personalities, but all three were hard-working and humble – exactly what it takes to be a champion.”
But Sanderson isn’t taking all the credit for himself. He praised his school’s golf program, especially head coach Walder, who was named one of the “Top Young Golf Teachers in America” by Golf Digest.
“The golf program at Ghost is fantastic and the results speak for themselves,” Sanderson said. “Coach Walder is a fantastic coach and really helps get the best out of the players. I really enjoy it and have fun every match.”
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
