Andy Close
WARREN, Pa. – Nate Sandberg is one of the finest golfers to ever come out of Warren Area High School, and now he has the opportunity to lead the Dragon golf program.
After serving as an assistant last year, Sandberg takes over the head coaching job from longtime coach Dan Passmore, who recently stepped down.
“It’s nice coming in and knowing some of the kids,” Sandberg said. “I’ve actually done some preseason stuff with them, stuff that I did in college that helped me become a better player. We’ve been going to Blueberry once a week over the summer to do some situational-type things. When it comes to tournaments, it’s important to see how they are going to handle these types of situations.”
And when he talks, his players not only listen, but they can relate. The 2015 Warren Area High School graduate has the District 10 gold medals in both golf and tennis to command the respect of his players.
But much more than that, his players have an open line of communication with Sandberg, being able to pick his brain with any question they may have.
“I don’t think the kids are afraid to ask for help, which is good,” Sandberg said. “That’s how you improve. I want to be able to help them in any way I can. It’s always good to be able to relate to the kids because I know that can be hard sometimes.”
Sandberg, a teacher in the Warren County School District, credits his coach at Clarion University, Marty Rinker, with giving him many of the ideas he has implemented so far in his young coaching career.
“Most of those ideas and drills I owe to Marty Rinker,” Sandberg said. “He emphasized practice with a purpose and that’s what I try and focus on.”
The Dragons have 22 golfers out for the team, something Sandberg is “thrilled” with.
He’s also thrilled to have two assistants who he can trust and lean on.
“I have two assistants, Fuzzy Merenick and Scott Pearson, which is definitely cool,” Sandberg said. “I’m very fortunate and very thankful to have the help. They will really be able to take the beginners and do a lot of stuff with them.
Of the 22 on the roster, there are only three seniors, but plenty of talent. Owen Blum, Braddock Damore, and Owen Becker will help lead the squad in 2022.
“Owen (Blum) and Braddock have played in a lot of different competitions this summer,” Sandberg noted. “You have to be able to take advantage of the summer.”
There isn’t much time between now and the start of the season, which begins this Monday (Aug. 15) with a Mega Match at Erie. The Dragons are in the ultra-competitive Region 6 with Erie High, Cathedral Prep, Hickory, McDowell, Meadville, and Corry.
Their home Mega Match at Blueberry is slated for Sept. 19.
“Blueberry is wonderful to us,” Sandberg said. “They allow us to have the course, use the range and help everyone improve in one way or another.”
More than anything, Sandberg and his Dragon golfers are excited to get the season started.
“It’s cool to call yourself a head coach,” Sandberg said. “When I played high school sports, I was a leader so it’s kind of cool to be able to be a leader to the current high school kids.”
