Golf is a family affair for Loves

Chris Love (left) and his son, Chaz, have a strong family history of playing golf for the Poplar Bluff Mules. Chris Love was a member of the Mules’ state title teams in 1995 and 1996, while Chaz was a member of the Mules’ team which won a Class 4 state championship in May.

DAR/Mike Buhler

Calling golf a family affair for the Love family might be just a bit of an understatement.

Chris Love was a standout golfer for Poplar Bluff High School from 1995 to 1998, playing on two Mules state championship squads in 1995 and 1996 with future Division I golfers Colby Robertson (Mizzou) and Derek Rahlmann (Southeast Missouri State).

“It takes a lot of work, some luck and some timing,” Love said. “That’s a big thing in high school golf. Colby, Derek and those guys, the upperclassmen, they carried the team. We were just contributors — Josh McCarty, Andy McCollum and myself.

And now Chris’s son, Chaz Love, is following in his dad’s footsteps, as he helped the Mules win their first state title since 1996 back in the spring.

“It feels awesome,” Chaz Love said. “I’m glad I have a family of golfers. It’s awesome to go out and play with them. I have a lot of fun, and it’s a great family deal where we can go out, we can have a good time together, just just play and have fun. It’s a blessing. I don’t think I would be into the game like I am without my family (history) with golf.”

They’re not the only ones in the family who play. Chris’s younger brother, Josh Love, played at PBHS around the time of the millennium, while Chris and Josh Love’s dad also plays the sport — making golf a three-generation connection for the family.

“It’s really neat for it to play out like that, because my dad plays,” Chris Love said. “He actually plays more than any of the rest of us, other than Chaz, but he’s really into it. Then obviously my brother and I, and then now Chaz. It creates a dynamic that gives everybody in the family something to talk about (and) we can play together.... It’s pretty neat to have four of us all interested in the same thing for the most part still to this day.”

Chaz Love took up golf when he was in grade school.

“It was a long time ago, but I’ve played almost every day since,” Chaz Love said. “It was right before Covid when I started playing (and) started getting really interested in golf. I would come out here and play with my dad all the time. … I have a good golfer as a dad (and) he helped me a lot during my young age.”

Chris Love said the high school game has changed since he played in the 1990s.

“(When I was) in high school, the season was structured differently,” Chris Love said. “We played a lot of dual matches and quad matches, meaning we were going to Dexter, Sikeston, Cape and Farmington, playing nine-hole matches. We were only able to play four invitational tournaments before districts and state (each) year. So we didn’t go to an invitational every week like they do. That’s basically all they do is go to invitational tournaments and we and we didn’t do that back in high school — (but) I think that benefits them a lot.”

Also, Chris Love said the makeup of the current Mules squad is different than when he played in the 1990s.

“In (Chaz’s) case, (the talent) a little more spread through the team as far as ages go, but it is neat,” Chris Love said. “It’s neat as a freshman to experience it. Most people never get to, so that’s the big part of it. I’m happy for him and his team. They did a wonderful job of playing.”

And with most of the 2024 Mules roster eligible to return next spring — the team loses just one senior, Lawson Barks — the best might be yet to come for Chaz Love and his teammates.

“I’m excited for next year, and I think we’re all ready to play,” Chaz Love said. “We’re all putting in work in the offseason — and that’s the most important thing to be able to have (a) successful season and sustain the ability to play like we did last year.”

While golf is often thought of as an individual sport, that dynamic is different at the high school and collegiate level.

“Golf is an individual sport, but the team aspect of it is what makes it really neat in high school (and college),” Chris Love said. “Being a part of a state championship team doesn’t necessarily mean that you won the individual state title — neither one of us have — but it’s the guys that you’re with and the teammates you’re with. Colby Robertson, Derek Rahlmann, Josh McCarty. Andy McCollum, Chris Henthorne (and me) back in mid 90s,

“Then you have Chaz and his teammates — Landon and Lawson Barks, Caiden Luke, Corban Thomas Bryce Milner and those guys — they create a bond too. You aren’t necessarily going into high school really that close because of different ages, but you become really good friends — and that’s really the best part of it.”

Chaz Love echoes his dad’s sentiments.“We knew each other because we were all at the golf course, but we never got to play together,” Chaz Love said. “But this year, it (blossomed). I think we’re all really good friends — and it definitely helps having friends as teammates because we can have fun outside the golf course too.”

Last but not least, Chaz Love is excited to continue the family tradition on the golf course — and also build on it.

“I’m glad I am able to trail his footsteps,” Chaz Love said. “He was a great golfer and I want to be better than he (was).”