Meet Parker Rodgers, a standout freshman on the Nevada boys golf team

Parker Rodgers started swinging a golf club almost before he could walk.

Around the age of two, Rodgers' parents, Chuck and Lisa Rodgers, brought him to the Indian Creek Country Club in Nevada. He liked it so much, he has continued coming back day after day ever since.

“I’ve been out here since I was able to breathe, I guess,” said Rodgers. “I guess I’ve been golfing here for a while.”

Rodgers is now a freshman on the Nevada boys golf team. He has already emerged as one of the Cubs' top two golfers along with senior Kyle Kingsbury.

“He’s been a great addition to the team,” said Nevada coach Michael Davidson. “I’m really impressed with how he’s done so far.”

The two golfers have led Nevada at every meet so far this season.

Kingsbury shot a 75 and Rodgers a 79 over 18 holes during the season-opening meet at the Indian Creek Country Club on April 4. Rodgers shot a 73 and Kingsbury a 78 at Terrace Hills in Altoona on April 8 and Rodgers a 39 and Kingsbury a 44 (nine holes) at the Tournament Club of Iowa in Polk City on April 9.

On April 12-13, Nevada competed at the Dutch Masters at the Bos Landen and the Pella Country Club in Pella. Rodgers finished with a 148 over 36 holes to place fourth, one stroke shy of finishing in a three-way tie for first, and Kingsbury a 166.

On Monday, Rodgers carded a 73 to finish as medalist runner-up, and Kingsbury a 79 at the Lincoln Valley Golf Course in State Center.

"Parker has made me work harder than I thought I was going to have to,” said Kingsbury. “He has made me get better in every aspect of golf.”

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Rodgers admits the beginning of the season was not a cakewalk for him. Even with all the tournaments he played in prior to high school, it was still a learning curve, especially dealing with being part of a team for the first time.

But his will to succeed has driven him to shoot strong rounds every meet.

“A lot of it is being confident in myself and not trying to be something I am not,” Rodgers said. “Expectations versus predictions.”

Even when he is not swinging the club well or finding the hole with his putts, Rodgers loves trying to prove himself on the golf course.

“I like the challenge of it,” Rodgers said. “The ups and downs are addicting, I guess.”

Davidson loves the freshman's dedication to his game.

“Parker practices harder than anybody I’ve ever coached,” Davidson said. “He’s been coming out here as much as he possibly can since he was able to walk and swing a club. He’s done a really good job adapting and he’s handled pressure really well.”

Kingbury is impressed with the progress Rodgers has made during the progression of the season.

“He’s gained a lot the last few weeks,” Kingsbury said. “I can see it visually through his mental game.”

Kingsbury would like nothing more than to get Nevada back to state as a team during his senior year. Nevada has not qualified as a team since winning the 3A state championship in 2019.

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He thinks with Rodgers donning purple and gold, the Cubs have a chance to make it this year.

“He’s been a big addition to our team,” Kingsbury said. “Honestly, I think he’s going to be the guy that’s going to bring us over the hump.”

Rodgers said he would like to show what he can do during the biggest meet of the season at the Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames on May 20-21.

“I’ve played there a lot,” Rodgers said. “The first six holes are terrible, but everything else is pretty fun. It’s very scorable. As long as you don’t psych yourself out about it, it’s not a terrible course. It’s always in good condition and the greens are always rolling well. It’s a nice course”

He is ready to test himself against the best competition 3A has to offer.

“Even if we don’t make it as a team, I have no question he will be able to make it as an individual,” Davidson said. “I think he has what it takes to finish in the top five. Obviously, golf is extremely tough, and there are days where things don’t go well. There are no guarantees. But he has all of the pieces, and he does a lot of the little things that help give him an edge.”

Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Freshman Parker Rodgers is already a standout golfer at Nevada