Kirby Excels on the Course and on the Court for Brookland . By : Brad Davis
Brookland senior Cole Kirby has accomplished as much as a high school athlete can achieve in his illustrious career , and yet , he still has more he wants to attain . The two-time 4A State golf champion is also an all-state guard for the Bearcat basketball team , who is considered one of the favorites to compete for a state title this upcoming season . After bringing back-to-back state team and individual titles home to Brookland , Kirby has his sights set on bringing another state championship trophy home before heading to Arkansas State University in the fall .
On the course this season , the three-time all-state golfer set out to defend his individual state title , along with leading his team to its second straight title as well . Kirby left no doubt shooting a career low 64 in the district tournament and following that up with a 65 in the state tournament on his home course of Sage Meadows . “ That was special ,” Kirby said . “ Winning state on our home course my senior year for the second year in a row . We had set the school record at conference the week before and just missed it by one at state .” The 65 was five strokes better than the runner-up and qualified Kirby for his third straight trip to Pleasant Valley Country Club for the Overall State Golf Tournament . He first qualified his sophomore year after finishing third in the state tournament , and then again , his junior year when he won his first state title firing a 69 in Hot Springs . This year , Kirby finished his high school golf career by shooting a three over 74 finishing 6th overall .
Next year , Cole will tee it up for the Arkansas State Red Wolves . He announced his commitment this summer before golf season started , which he says took a lot of pressure off for the season . “ I knew it was a place I wanted to go ,” he said . “ Getting that done took a lot of pressure off of me , and I was able to enjoy the season and focus on golf .” According to golf coach Chris Viala , Kirby finished his golf career with an astounding 95-8 record . “ He ’ s a great kid ,” Coach Viala said . “ Very athletic and lots of fire power . I ’ d say Cole has left a legacy of winning at our school .”
That is hard to argue with his golf resume alone , but he has been equally as impressive on the court . The all-state and twotime all-conference guard averaged 14.2 points , 4.8 rebounds , and 1.5 steals a game his junior year . More importantly , Kirby stepped up when it mattered , averaging 21 points per game in the postseason . The Bearcats finished second in the 4A-3 conference and district tournament and third in the 4A East region before falling in the state quarterfinals to Dardanelle . Coach Bobby Gross says Kirby is a big part of Brookland ’ s success . “ He ’ s a stud ,” Gross said . “ He ’ s one of the centerpieces of the team . He ’ s definitely a guy we will rely on . We need him to have a big year .”
Both coaches , along with Kirby , feel he can attribute his success in both sports to his ability to perform under pressure . The senior says he loves the big moments and the pressure . “ I enjoy the thrill and the big moments ,” Kirby explained . “ I like tournament time because more people are watching . I hit the game winner against West Memphis last year ( Barry Pruitt Hurricane Classic ) and had the winning assist when Tyler ( Parham ) hit the game winner against Clinton to send us to state . The more pressure , the better I like it .” His mental toughness has developed with his golf game . “ Big games are like standing on the 18th tee with a one-shot lead . It prepares you for the pressure .”