Athletes of the Week: Teddy Keller, Eunice Kim and Kennedy Moore

By Georgie Venci

On a bright day at the historic Newport Country Club in Rhode Island, the Andover Invitational comes to a sensational close. As Exeter’s golf team celebrated their tremendous victory, senior Edward (Teddy) Keller, now senior and co-captain, hoisted his own individual trophy. 

Keller and the team are incredibly proud of winning a high profile tournament on the same course where golf icon Tiger Woods won the 1995 U.S. Amateur Championship. Teammate and upper Will Huang describes Keller’s victory as “thermonuclear”—Keller had truly shown “the rest of the team to see what we were capable of.”

Keller began playing golf at a very young age. Hailing from a golf-based family, he was first introduced to the sport by his father and grandfather. Golf became more of a focus in his life in his middle school years. Like any athlete, Keller hates to lose, but something he has learned from Exeter golf is that “great memories come from the losses. For example, our match against Deerfield last year was one of the most fun times I’ve had on the course.”

But Keller could not manage the team without his fellow captain senior Kennedy Moore and upper Eunice Kim. Keller specifically works well with Moore, as Huang describes them as “two peas in a pod.” Huang elaborated that “they are so similar when they are on the golf course and their laid back nature really shines when they play together.”

Moore started his golf career in middle school, but didn’t commit to the sport until coming to Exeter. He made the Varsity team as a prep and has played all four years. He has also been captain for his Upper and Senior years. Moore says the highlight of his Exeter career was the much anticipated Andover Invitational. “It was truly a special day that I will look back on as one of the highlights of my life,” he said.

During his prep year, Moore had trouble breaking 100, however as a senior, he is now a 6 handicap. “I am proud of that and thankful to Beetle and Ian for giving me the opportunity to be on the team as a prep,” he said. 

Coaches Beetle and Ian have been supportive of all three captains since they began at Exeter. Moore expressed “we consider them more like family members than coaches.” 

Completing their killer trio is Kim first began playing golf at age 9. Like Keller, was introduced to the sport by her father. Kim says that the biggest challenges she has faced as a golfer have been all mental. “The biggest challenges I face are all in my head. One bad shot could set you back, but you have to overcome it and move on,” Kim said. Kim’s biggest achievement is qualifying for the AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) scholastic team and competing in the U.S. Junior girls’ team.

Kim has been playing on the Varsity team since her prep year. “I have made so many unforgettable memories and life-long friends from my years on the team,” Kim said. “Having such an amazing opportunity to represent Exeter has been a life-changing experience.” 

Interestingly enough, Kim’s favorite moments have come on from the road and not the course. “The long van rides to matches can be exhausting, but every minute is worth it with my team,” she said.

The rest of the team is certainly appreciative of the captains’ hard work and commitment to the team, both on and off the course. New upper Justin Fedele reflected on his own transition to Exeter. “I unfortunately haven’t had the chance to be here for long, and I haven’t even competed in a spring season yet, but the captains most definitely helped with preparing the team for the spring term. They made sure we were all on the same page and ready to go,” he said.

“I admire their dedication,” upper William Vietor said. “Collectively, the captains have poured a ton of time into golf, and it really shows. Golf is a sport that demands tremendous amounts of patience, so I admire and respect those who have clearly put in the time and effort.”

Through all of the intensity of golf, the captains know when to step back and enjoy the spirit with the team. “If someone had a bad day, they’re quick to help cheer them up, and they love to joke around and keep a lively, positive, and fun atmosphere,” Vietor said.

Huang agreed and added that the captains “help make the team environment laid back and comfortable for people. This is key with helping the team perform at their highest. I’m going to miss their jokes and banter during practice the most,” he said.

The captains have made a huge impact on the team, and have made spring term more exciting for the team. “The captains are the best,” upper May Chen said. “Every year I spend fall and winter looking forward to being able to play spring term, Eunice is so nice and supportive. Kennedy and Teddy are the best too.”

Currently, the captains are working hard to keep the golf team close although campus is closed. They do this by hosting zoom meetings and regularly checking in with the athletes. “They have organized some zoom meetings to get the team together and talk about golf,” Huang said.  “They also check up on us from time to time to make sure that we are doing well with classes and staying sane.”

Looking to the future, Kim and Keller both hope to continue playing golf, and Kim hopes to play for a Division 1 college. “I will play golf for the rest of my life, for sure,” Keller concluded. “It is the thing I love to do the most, and I can’t imagine not playing.”