A role model is defined as a person looked to by others as an example to be imitated. After thirty two years of coaching, Earl Burton, coach of the golf team, has decided to retire from the school system and from coaching.
“I’ve been coaching for thirty two years and after some long and hard thinking, I decided that it was time for me to retire,” Burton said.
Burton has not only coached golf, but he also coached baseball.
“When I was a kid my father taught me to play golf. I played baseball but I really enjoyed the game of golf,” Burton said. “I played golf right out of college.”
With his experience in golf, Burton decided to apply for the position of golf coach at the high school.
“I never thought I would be coaching but I saw the position was open so I said why not give it a try,” Burton said.
Burton started coaching golf in 1983-84. One of the student golfers on his team was NBC 12 meteorologist Ros Runner.
“It was a real honor to have Coach Burton as a coach,” Runner said. “He was very encouraging and a pleasure to work with. As a player, not only did you want to perform well for the team, but also for him.”
One of the most important things as a coach is the relationship you have with your players.
“The best thing about being a coach is my relationship with the players,” Burton said. “The bond that I have with the players is one like no other. If you don’t have players then you don’t have a team.”
Some people may have regrets about some things, but Burton has no regrets about coaching.
“I have zero regrets. If I could, I would [coach] all over again. I have been truly blessed to coach this long. It is a real honor to coach these young athletes.”
At the golf banquet on November 13th, Burton announced his retirement, but he contacted Runner to be a guest speaker for his last time speaking as a coach.
“I was in total shock. I haven’t talked to him in a while and it was a real honor that he wanted me to come to the banquet and to celebrate his retirement after 32 years,” Runner said.
Prince George Athletic Director Bill Russell feels that a man, such as Coach Burton, is one of a kind.
“Coach Burton has been a model of consistency for our athletes and coaches. He has been a part of our program in so many ways other than golf. He has been nothing but the finest example of the type of person we all strive to be,” Russell said.
Burton will be retiring at the end of the school year. He has been a big part of the golf team for years but has decided to retire.
“My health is good so I plan to travel with my wife and play golf. I plan to stay busy for sure,” Burton said.
Burton spoke about his coaching career being a blessing, but Russell thinks Burton was the blessing.
“He spoke about him being blessed in so many ways, yet it was us who have really received the blessing,” Russell said.
The 2015-16 golf team presented Burton with a plaque that stated ‘Best Golf Coach in Prince George History.’
“We thank him for a job well done. He did Prince George proud; he left a legacy. It was an honor to see all he accomplished,” Runner said.