As the Aquinas Academy golf team prepares for the 2026 season, Head Coach Peter Hawk has a straightforward vision for his golfers: enjoy the experience, compete, and continue to improve throughout the season. Entering his third season leading the Crusaders, Hawk is excited to have his team back together and on the course. “I’m excited to be back at practice and watch them practice,” Hawk said. For Hawk, the goals for the season go beyond wins and losses. He wants his golfers to enjoy being part of the Aquinas program while continually working to improve. “I have two goals: a great experience with teammates, and that we are better tomorrow than today,” Hawk said. That emphasis on improvement will be important as the Crusaders face a challenging schedule this season. “We are playing great teams,” Hawk said. Aquinas has experienced golfers returning to help lead the way. Hawk specifically pointed to Ian Patterson and Asher Buchanan as two of the Crusaders’ top players entering the season. “Ian Patterson is one of our best players, and Asher Buchanan,” Hawk said. The Crusaders are also adding some young talent, including freshman Luke Patterson, Ian’s younger brother. Hawk believes Luke is a newcomer Aquinas fans should watch as he begins his high school career. “Luke is a golfer to keep an eye on,” Hawk said. Kate Gillespie and MacKenzie Sparrow also bring something unique to this year’s team as the only two female golfers in the Aquinas program. Hawk has been particularly impressed by the dedication both Lady Crusaders have shown to the sport and the work they continue to put into improving their games. For Gillespie and Sparrow, being the only two girls on the team hasn’t changed their commitment. Both continue to compete, practice and represent Aquinas alongside their teammates, something Hawk admires as he watches their development. Their dedication also reflects one of Hawk’s primary goals for the program — creating a great experience for every golfer while helping each student-athlete become better from one day to the next. With a combination of returning experience and young talent, Hawk is excited to see how much his team can develop over the course of the season. The objective is simple: provide Aquinas golfers with a great experience alongside their teammates and make sure the team that finishes the season is better than the one that began it. WATCH: 2026 AQUINAS GOLF SEASON PREVIEW Asher Buchanan, Kate Gillespie and MacKenzie Sparrow sit down with Deacon Andrew Kurzawski of the Aquinas Academy Communications Department to discuss the upcoming season and what they are looking forward to in 2026. Watch the 2026 Aquinas Golf Season Preview: https://youtu.be/IR9qxE_sNDw Follow Aquinas Athletics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aquinascrusaders/ Follow Aquinas Athletics on X: https://x.com/AquinasAD