30 Sep 2024 Youth of the Month: Luke Killough

By Becky Bell 

It seems that playing golf since he was in elementary school has taught Luke Killough, 18, not only the mechanics of the game, but also has given him wisdom beyond his years.

When he is on the golf course, he focuses on the ball and listens to his calm inner voice which propels him to stay grounded.

“It’s just staying in the present and controlling what I can control, and I don’t think about my opponent or any other variable,” Killough said. “People around you are doing a lot better or worse than you in life and in golf. But if you can just trust yourself and stay confident in your skills, the outcome should stay in your favor.”

Yes indeed. That life insight is from a person who is a senior at Searcy High School. He hasn’t even stepped into the world yet in terms of college or starting a career, yet he already knows one of the most important lessons of life.

Luke’s interest in golf began early. He began playing when he was around seven or eight years old, after picking up the interest from his father, Tim Killough. “My dad always played,” said Killough. “He grew up with a lot of buddies to play with and his brothers and they were good.”

Searcy High School Golf Coach Bryant Turney said this is his fourth year to coach Luke. Since the senior has had a golf club in his hands for over half his life, Turney said he is an impressive golfer. But that is not where Luke’s talent ends.

“A kid like Luke doesn’t come along very often,” Turney said. “He has a high level of talent, has a strong work ethic, he’s good in the classroom, he’s a good teammate and he has a high character. You are lucky when you get a kid that checks one or two of those boxes, and he checks all of them. He is a rare athlete, and he has been a joy to coach.”

Another fan of Luke’s is Searcy High School principal David Landers, who has been the principal for three years and has been with the district for eight. Landers said he first met Luke at the middle school.

“He takes some of the toughest courses and works extensively outside of high school practice,” Landers said. “He puts quite a bit of work into perfecting his craft. He’s got a great head on his shoulders, and he knows what he wants and how to get it. He works hard and puts himself in the right spots, and he is going to get there.”

Luke is undecided about college at this point but is considering the University of Arkansas. He is considering what major he will pursue, but said his favorite subject is biology. Talent in science class is not something that falls far from the family tree. Luke’s oldest sister, Tori Opalecky, is an internal medicine doctor at TriStar Centennial in Nashville. His other sister, Mary Julia Killough, is in her junior year at U of A. Her major is biology, and she is also considering a career in medicine.

“I don’t have that kind of brain. I’m kind of smart, but I have to work for it for sure,” he said. “Science is my favorite subject, but I don’t think I will pursue a medical profession.”

Luke is obviously being humble because both his golf coach and principal complimented what he brings both inside the classroom and on the greens. Landers said Luke pursues courses that are at the highest level of academics offered. Luke is excited to have knocked off some college credits before he begins college. 

When he is not studying and playing golf, Luke enjoys working out in his home gym and hanging out with his friend, Easton Jones, who is also a senior. 

“We were really good childhood friends and even had our own YouTube channel,” he said. “We were trying to be like the guys on Dude Perfect. That was a group of five guys back in Texas in the early 2010s and they did sports trick shots, like throwing a football into a basketball hoop on the back of a golf cart.”

Luke’s mother is Brenda Killough and she is also proud of her only son. He is expected to continue to make All-Conference and All-State this year, a goal he has reached in golf every other year of high school.