While experiencing a global pandemic, life has changed drastically for many people. While we see firsthand how Coronavirus impacts sports that allow a plethora of spectators, we don’t always get an insight on the effects of Coronavirus on sports that do not allow as many spectators. 

Our Carolina Forest golf team has experienced an altered season due to the pandemic. The team normally is allowed to have tournaments far away. They would get the opportunity to play against teams from other schools outside of Horry County. Due to Coronavirus, both of these have been discontinued.

Junior Connor Kiggins, plays on the Carolina Forest golf team. When asked his thoughts on how his season has been affected by Coronavirus, he replied, “We no longer can take any overnight trips. The golf team has had to miss out on the experiences with teams across South Carolina outside of Horry County.”

Similar to Kiggins, students who play other sports have experienced setbacks in their athletic activities. The Carolina Forest Ultimate Frisbee team has had a different experience than the golf team. Unfortunately, they have not gotten the chance to compete in their sport at all. Their season was canceled entirely for the 2020-2021 school year. 

Junior Noah Kretz is a member of the Ultimate Frisbee team at Carolina Forest High School. When questioned about how COVID has changed his season, he stated, “Unfortunately, we did not even really have a season. The 2020 season was cut short due to the beginning of the pandemic and the original cancellation of all sporting activities. We have not gotten to play at all for the 2021 season.”

While some sports have had the advantages of still getting to play during this pandemic, others have not. This change has impacted these athletes firsthand and caused many setbacks to their season. Will these sports return to normal for the 2021-2022 school year? Only time will be able to tell.