The 2026 golf season is less than two weeks away and players from all over Northeast Ohio are preparing themselves to try out for their teams. Coaches are making their final preparations to get ready for what they hope is a magical Fall of 2026. Meanwhile, two legendary coaches are navigating life on the other side of high school golf. For the first time in decades, the Northeast Ohio golf scene will not feature Mary Becker or Marti Hardy. Becker started the program at Highland High School and is the only coach the program has ever had. Marti Hardy ends her stellar career at Laurel School as she leaves a very similar situation.

Standout Highland player Isabella Goyette, going into her junior year as a member of the Kent State women’s golf team leaves this message for Coach Becker: “Coach, first of all congrats on an amazing career in Highland Golf!! I am so happy and honored to have had you as my guide in high school. You’ve always inspired and driven me to be my best, which I am forever grateful for.” Goyette continued, “I can’t say I have a favorite memory, but your sandwiches always stood out to me. Thank you for all of the good moments that I will never forget. You truly have built something great for Highland Girls Golf. I am so thankful for all that you did to help me not only grow as a player, but as a person as well. Thank you for everything Coach, and enjoy retirement!! You deserve it!”

Siena Maschke is also going into her junior year as a member of the Denison University women’s golf team. She had several memories to share of “Senora” Hardy, a well-respected Spanish teacher at Laurel. “I would say some of my best memories with Senora are from the State Tournament and her support through my three years at States. Even after I graduated from Laurel, she would still come watch me play for Denison. I keep in touch with her and see her over breaks. She has always been like family to me, and I see her as one of my role models in life. She knows how to live life through a positive lens and lover her job every day.” After that touching tribute, Maschke also added, “She also makes the best carmelita brownies.”

While most readers now are craving brownies, they probably are wondering what the future holds for the Highland and Laurel programs. Chris Kestner at Highland and Zachary Stenger at Laurel will obviously have big shoes to fill. Becker’s greatest accomplishment on the course was sending 12 teams to the State Tournament. Hardy had the opportunity to coach some phenomenal individual stars. Siena Maschke and Jami Morris are the most recent players that made appearances in Columbus to represent Hardy and the Gators.

Marti Hardy will continue to be a fixture in high school golf as she plans to still be involved at the yearly Canterbury Invitational. Mary Becker is still assisting Highland with scheduling and running tournaments. Both coaches will be dearly missed as members of the Northeast Ohio Golf Coaches Association.

The Highland golf team created a video to commemorate Becker’s career which they have graciously shared with us. It can be seen below.

CONGRATULATIONS ON WONDERFUL CAREERS TO MARY BECKER AND MARTI HARDY!