Tackitt’s return enhances Marble Falls golfers’ chances at winning

Lonnie Tackitt was enjoying his retirement.

Two years after he stepped away from teaching math at Marble Falls High School and being the head coach of the golf program, Tackitt was giving a few lessons here and there and was picking and choosing the projects he wanted to work on.

Then Rick Blackington, his assistant coach who took over the program when Tackitt retired in 2021, suddenly resigned at the end of July. And Tackitt’s phone rang from the Marble Falls Independent School District’s superintendent’s office.

“I got the call from (Dr. Jeff) Gasaway about the position, asking if I was interested,” Tackitt said. “I’ve been enjoying retirement. I knew being that late in the year, it would be hard to find a replacement.”

Tackitt ensured the Marble Falls golf job was a sought-after one after spending three decades leading it. He’s coached a state champion in Josh Price in 2004 and guiding numerous teams and golfers to regional and state tournaments. This year’s boys team finished 10th at the Class 4A state tournament and the eighth-grade boys just won the district championship.

But timing, especially in jobs, is everything. And this position isn’t any different.

Because of the number of golf courses within a 45-minute drive of Marble Falls and the love fans have of the program and sport coupled with the recent success of the program, MFISD administrators didn’t want to be rushed into picking someone from a limited number of candidates.

So they asked Tackitt to give them with a mulligan for the 2023-24 school year. He agreed to return as the co-head coach with Adley Canales, who will continue to be the Marble Falls High School girls basketball team’s top assistant on head coach John Berkman’s staff. School district officials plan to hire a golf head coach in a few months for the 2024-25 school year.

Meanwhile, Tackitt said he already he knows the deep pol of the talented golfers in the Marble Falls program.

“I’ve been around the team the last two years,” he said. “I’ve given lessons to half of them. I didn’t want them to not get what they needed. I didn’t want those kids to lose a year of experience.”

Because Canales is already on campus, he’ll handle much of the school-related work for the program. The two will coach the golfers and travel with them for tournaments.

“With us splitting it up, I think everything will go smoothly,” Tackitt said. “The golf class is the last period of the day. We’ll do try-outs, and I’ll meet the kids (Aug. 16) on the first day of school. It’s competitive golf; it’s not a (physical education) class. We have to meet the kids, and they’ll show us their golf background.”

Tackitt said the immediate goal is to help the golfers continue their massive success and assist them in accomplishing their bigger goals.

“We’re going to try to get things settled as quickly as possible,” he said. “With the top players, winning district as a team, they’re very capable. They’re pushing (for spots). I expect them to get better. I know the high school kids. They played summer tournaments and have done well. They’re excited about getting going and so am I.”

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