In what can be considered a banner year for the George Rogers Clark High School boys golf team, it only figures that NCAA schools recognized multiple athletes’ talent.

On Thursday, Nov. 16, two golfers stamped their tickets to play at the college level.

In the GRC library, seniors Jacob Settles and Jace Patrick signed to play at the University of Kentucky and Morehead State University, respectively.

“This is a great day for GRC. This is a great day for the boys golf program,” said GRC athletic director Terry Yeast. “We celebrate two fine young men. It’s been a really great blessing.”

The 2023 edition of the George Rogers Clark High School boys golf team made history, appearing at the 2023 KHSAA State Golf Championships in Bowling Green for the first time in nearly a decade.

Among the five competitors, Patrick and Settles were two of the standouts.

In a field of nearly 90 competitors, Jacob Settles tied for 9th place with a score of +5.

Patrick finished tied for 54th place with a +20 score.

As one of only nine high school teams from Kentucky competing in the state championships, Settles and Patrick helped the Cards finish in sixth place, ahead of Ryle, Rockcastle County and McCracken County.

Speaking on Thursday, Settles and Patrick expressed gratitude to their families and coaches for their journey through high school play.

“I want to thank everyone for coming out here today,” Patrick said. “Without [everyone’s] support, I don’t know that me and [Jacob Settles] would be sitting here right now.”

“I’d like to thank everyone who sacrificed a lot for me to be able to be here,” Settles added. “It means a lot.”

The players were far from the only ones present, as family members surrounded each other.

The fathers of each athlete took a moment to speak.

“I know how much dedication and how much time it takes to commit yourself…in order to get to where you want to get to,” said Anthony Patrick. “I’m certainly proud of both of them. I’m really excited.”

“We’ve spent so much time together. We’ve had so much fun watching them grow,” said Joe Settles. I’m very, very proud of what these guys are and how well they represented this school.”

Also present was Scott Webb, director of instruction at Gibson Bay Golf Course.

Webb has spent much time working with both golfers, serving as swing coach.

Along with their teammates, GRC boys golf coach Brandon Franklin was present.

He spoke of how Patrick and Settles, who spent six years playing on the varsity team, have been instrumental to its success.

“They are really the foundation to the program and it’s helped create what we continue to build going forward,” Franklin said. “Their work ethic is unmatched, and it’s definitely what the younger golfers see.”

Franklin offered one last comment regarding the two golf standouts.

“They’re [even] better people than they are golfers,” he said.