NATCHEZ — Rondale Hawkins used to see golfers teeing off while on family Christmas vacation trips to resorts when he was younger, and he knew then he wanted to be just like them.

“I just saw the golfers out there and became interested,” he said. “I got involved from there.”

To a then seventh grade Hawkins, playing golf looked like fun in the sun, but he quickly found out there is more to golf than wearing plaid pants.

“Most people think you just swing a club and hit the ball,” he said. “There is more to it. You have to have technique. It was hard (learning), but I enjoyed every minute of it. I just love it, because you can play for the rest of your life.”

Six years later, Hawkins is a senior golfer for Natchez High School, and he said his love for golf has not died.

“The challenge and the different courses keeps me interested,” he said.

NHS head coach Jerry Baldwin said Hawkins’ dedication to become better is what makes him a good golfer.

“If he hits a bad shot, he’s like ‘what did I do wrong? Teach me, teach me,’” Baldwin said.

Autry Clayton, on the other hand, fell in love with golf differently.

When Clayton was in seventh grade, he was more interested in football.

“At first, I didn’t want to play golf, but my mom made me come out because a friend of ours played,” Clayton said.

“But once I started playing golf, I fell in love with it.

“When I started to really hit the ball the way I wanted to and get in the hole with less and less strokes, I realized I could do something that takes years and years of practice.”

Clayton said his main struggle going into his senior season is his mentality.

As a football player, Clayton had to learn to keep the aggressive mentality of a linebacker separate from the serene focus needed as a golfer.

“I had to become more calm in the way I approach the game,” Clayton said. “I was so anxious to hit the ball and move on, but now I take my time and think about what it takes to get the ball to go where I want.”

Baldwin said he believes part of Clayton’s transformation is because the senior is no longer training for football.

“(During golf season), he was lifting weights hard before he came to practice,” Baldwin said. “But golf is muscle memory, and his muscles were changing regularly (because of it), so I don’t expect him to be as frustrated with his body now.”

Baldwin said he looks for Hawkins and Clayton to lead the golf team with their knowledge and experience.

“I’m expecting them to be my leaders, if we have a chance to break 400, it will be with those two shooting in the 80s,” Baldwin said.

“I’m hoping this year we get to where we’re breaking 90 consistently. Our goal is to break 400 as a team, which is a good start for my guys.”

Baldwin said he also expects Hawkins and Clayton to attend college and play golf for the rest of their lives.

Hawkins said he wants to play golf at Alcorn State University.

“All of my family went there, and I want to finish the tradition,” Hawkins said. “I want to major in animal science to possibly become an inspector.”

Clayton has similar goals.

“I would like to play at LSU or Kansas State and major in business administration to be a cooperate attorney,” he said.

Until then, Clayton said he just wants to have a memorable senior year.

“I want to have a good season and a good relationship with my teammates and hopefully take it to state,” Clayton said.