Golf runs deep in Charlie Pozen’s blood. Now the lifelong player is stepping into his first head coaching role as the Riverside Brookfield High School boys golf head coach and is hoping to instill the same love for the game in his athletes.
Pozen is taking over from longtime coach Jim Festle, who retired.
“I’ve always loved the game and wanted to share that passion with the younger generation,” Pozen said. “This is an opportunity for me to help young athletes grow and compete at a higher level.”
A 2013 graduate of York High School, Pozen grew up in a family of golfers and has played the sport his entire life. Though this is his first time coaching golf, the RBHS science teacher brings a strong background in education, having taught in Illinois, the Caribbean island of St. Thomas, and most recently in Colorado.
Pozen said one of his primary goals this season is to help players understand the balance between individual performance and team contribution in a sport that often feels solo.
“Golf is a mental game,” he said. “You have to stay patient and allow the game to come to you. At the same time, we want players to communicate with each other. If someone is strong in putting or chipping, they should help out their teammates.”
Pozen emphasizes the importance of course management, making smart decisions on the course, and said he’ll be working with players on navigating different holes strategically.
In high school, he competed for York. At 2011 regionals junior year, his 87 missed his 3A sectional’s individual cutoff score by one stroke.
The Bulldogs are coming off winning the Upstate Eight Conference title in their first season in the conference and qualifying as a team for the Class 3A Glenbrook North Sectional. Seniors Gavin Sharenow, Ronnie Murray and Connor Dominick were among five Bulldogs on the 26-golfer All-UEC Team based on cumulative dual and UEC Meet results.
This season marks a transition year for the program, but Pozen sees it as a chance to lay a new foundation.
“My focus is on building relationships and creating a strong team culture,” Pozen said. “I want this to be a program that’s respected, where players support each other and improve together.”
He hopes to foster not just competitive success, but a lasting connection to the game in his first season.
“I can’t wait for the season to start,” Pozen said. “It’s a real honor to be named head coach and I’m eager to help each player improve and reach his full potential.”
Bill Stone contributed to this story