[New post] Frontier Academy golfers Christian Arguello’s, Daniel Wyperd’s differing paths lead them both to RainDance National next week
Bobby Fernandez posted: "While Frontier Academy senior Daniel Wyperd has spent the past three years representing his own school on the golf course, University sophomore Christian Arguello has to venture a couple blocks north for his chance to excel in high school boys golf. Th" Greeley Tribune
While Frontier Academy senior Daniel Wyperd has spent the past three years representing his own school on the golf course, University sophomore Christian Arguello has to venture a couple blocks north for his chance to excel in high school boys golf.
That's not a problem for Arguello.
He's used to traveling much larger distances than that.
Both golfers will make the trek — albeit a short one — to represent the Wolverines during the Class 3A boys golf state championships Monday and Tuesday at RainDance National Resort & Golf.
Arguello is making his second consecutive appearance in the state tournament. Wyperd is back at state for the third consecutive year.
For Arguello, his path to RainDance National next week — and his path to Greeley — has been far from a linear one.
Arguello's father, Roman, serves in the United States Army and is stationed in Fort Eustis, Virginia, as a Sergeant First Class with the 128th Aviation Brigade.
Arguello and his family lived in Germany and Belgium, while also visiting places like London, Scotland and Paris before Arguello settled in Greeley about a year and a half ago.
Arguello's parents are both from Greeley. His dad is a University alum, while his mother is a Northridge alum.
Arguello lives here with his grandparents, as his mother is back in Virginia taking care of her two other sons, while his dad is in Florida for some schooling.
Upon arriving in Greeley less than two years ago, Arguello latched on with Frontier's boys golf team, as University doesn't have its own program. The two campuses are adjacent, as Frontier sits just north of University.
Though he isn't able to see his father as much as they both would like, Arguello has always bonded with his dad through golf, which is also a longtime passion of Roman.
"(Roman) has played those golf courses (in Europe), and I would just tag along," Arguello said of his earliest exposure to the sport. "Golf is really big over there. So I fell in love with the game of golf pretty easily."
When Roman would have a couple days at home in between his busy military commitments, he and his son with often use the golf course as the perfect backdrop to catch up.
"He would take me out to the golf course, and I would tell him about the past few days, catch him up on the stuff he was missing," Arguello said. "We've really bonded over the game of golf."
Frontier Academy sophomore Christian Arguello pops the ball out of the sand trap while at Boomerang links Golf Course in Greeley on Thursday Sept. 28, 2023. Arguello qualified for the state golf tournament that begins next week.(Jim Rydbom/Staff Photographer)
Roman served as his son's coach for much of his life up to this point. But Arguello recently began working with a swing coach out of Colorado State University, Stan Finn.
Arguello has also received ample tutelage from Frontier Academy's coach Reed Hodgson — a former standout at Eaton High School and Fort Lewis College in Durango — as well as the Wolverines' most experienced golfer, Wyperd.
Arguello's father isn't the only person Arguello has bonded with through golf.
Joining Frontier's team more than a year ago, Arguello has built tight relationships with his teammates, particularly Wyperd.
"He's really helped me a lot," Arguello said of Wyperd. "He's a phenomenal player. Obviously, this season is his last season, and it's just cool to have him around."
Hodgson took over the Frontier Academy program a season ago, looking to create new traditions within the program alongside his assistant coach and brother-in-law, Christian Bachrodt, who goes by "Coach C".
Hodgson credits Wyperd and Arguello for being instrumental in laying the foundation for everything Hodgson and Bachrodt hope to build within the Wolverines program.
"Daniel is an amazing leader," Hodgson said. "He's not a very vocal leader. He really leads by example. Everyone wants to be like Daniel. ... And then, Christian has the most drive and intensity out of anyone I've ever coached. I think he's just going to do such great things. He really steps up for the big tournaments."
Speaking of big tournaments, Arguello qualified for next week's state tournament by shooting a 77 and tying for fourth place overall during the 3A Region 3 tournament Sept. 19 at Frontier's home course, Boomerang Links in Greeley.
Wyperd punched his ticket to state in a much more dramatic fashion.
Through the 18 holes of regionals, he found himself in a five-way tie for the final individual berth to state. He emerged from a playoff to clinch that final berth.
Now, the duo shifts its focus toward the state tournament.
Frontier Academy senior Daniel Wyperd has been on top of his game this season to qualify for the state golf tournament.(Jim Rydbom/Staff Photographer)
Wyperd tees off Monday at RainDance at 10:30 a.m. Arguello tees off 10 minutes later.
There's a chance next week will be the last time Arguello swings a golf club in a Frontier Academy uniform. This time next year, Arguello may be living with his dad in the Phoenix, Arizona area, where Roman will then be stationed.
As for Wyperd, next week will certainly be his final time in a Wolverines uniform, as he prepares to graduate high school at the end of the school year.
Though shooting somewhere in the 70s on this supremely long and challenging course would be nice, Wyperd said he plans to just soak in the moment when steps into the tee box next week.
As much as he's enjoyed his own success his senior year, Wyperd said what he's cherished the most is being a leader on a young Frontier team for up-and-comers like Arguello.
"That was what I told coach at the beginning: I obviously want to do well this season, but I also want to make an impact on these guys," Wyperd said. "And, hopefully when I'm gone, the culture is still here and they'll be able to take a step forward without me."
— Bobby Fernandez covers high school sports for the Greeley Tribune. Reach him at (970) 392-4478 or by email at bfernandez@greeleytribune.com.
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