Landon Coley getting ready to hit a ball on the course

Landon Coley has quickly become one of the top golfers at The Morgan School. Although he has been playing golf for nearly 12 years, it was during his match at the Clinton Country Club against Branford High School on May 4th, 2026, that tied the school record set in 2014, putting him on the map here at Morgan. Now, he is just beginning to understand the opportunities the sport could open up for him.

Although many are just learning about him, Coley’s love for golf commenced when he was very young. His grandfather introduced him to the sport and often took him to local courses, such as Lyman Orchards Golf Club, in Middletown. Initially, Coley viewed golf as just something fun to do. “I just really enjoyed it,” Coley said. “I just liked hitting golf balls in the woods.”

When Coley was around 7 years old, he spent a lot of time golfing with his grandfather. Looking back, he shared how those moments played a massive role in shaping his future in the sport. “I played a lot with my grandpa when I was younger,” Coley said. “I wasn’t really good, and I started practicing a lot recently, over the past three years, and I’ve gotten so much better.”

Growing up golfing, unlike many golfers at Coley’s age, he did not have easy access to country clubs or private tours. Instead, he resorted to other local golf courses he was able to get access to, like Lyman Orchards. But recently, he received a country club membership, as a gift from his grandparents when they realized how serious he wanted to be about the sport. This new door opened by his grandparents gave him more opportunities to improve his game. “I definitely get the opportunity to be a member at the country club,” Coley said. “My grandpa just brings me golfing every day.”

His motivation to be the best golfer could stem from the possibility of playing golf at the college level and from finally having more opportunities to practice consistently. He already had dream schools in his mind, including the University of Tennessee, the University of Oklahoma, and Auburn University, because of their strong golf programs. He also mentioned he wouldn’t mind playing for the University of​ Tampa or the University of Miami.

One of Coley’s biggest achievements so far was breaking his school record by shooting a 35, which is one shot under par. By shooting a 35, he was able to match the last record previously held by Morgan alumni, Max Bugg, who did it 12 years ago. Coley said the accomplishment felt rewarding, “especially because the team also played one of its best matches in a long time. It felt pretty good,” he said. “Even though we didn’t beat the teams, it was one of the best scores in a long time.”

Coley competes in tournaments across Connecticut and Florida, including AJGA-affiliated events. He has played in tournaments such as the 17-U team for Clinton Country Club and Junior PGA. In comparison, tournament golf is challenging because players compete against some of the best junior golfers around.

“It’s very competitive, and a lot of people compete in the tournaments. Everyone really just wants to win, and it’s more like solo focus on a team,” Coley shared. “The people in the tournaments practice year-round for hours a day, which leads to extremely competitive attitudes.”

“ During those tournaments, I try to tell myself to stay calm, and to not to get upset if I hit a bad shot. It’s all good,” Coley explained.

As Coley’s sophomore season is wrapping up, he has an average of 39 for the year. He hopes younger golfers will bring the same dedication to the team as he did. He knows that he is stepping into a major role next year as a junior while chasing his dream of playing in college.