Senior RJ Tallud is back on the golf course for the Tahoma Bears this year after spending the past two years traveling and playing in tournaments.

Tallud, who is homeschooled via an online program, learned to play golf from his dad who taught him the game when the family moved to the Philippines when Tallud was 9.

“I picked it up and fell in love with the game,” Tallud said.

Earlier this season Tallud shot back to back rounds of 32 at Druids Glen on a par 36 and Jade Greens, on a par 35.

The thing that Tallud said he loves most about the game is its competitive and individual nature.

“All the victory was on me or all the defeat was on me,” he said.

While living in the Philippines, Tallud played on the Philippine Junior Golf Tour and the national tour of golf. Tallud moved back to the area in 2008 and attended Tahoma High for his freshman year.

Tallud said the thing he likes best about doing online school is the freedom it gives him. He said the reason he decided to start doing school online was because he was traveling so often to play in tournaments and would be gone for three to five months at a time.

As for his favorite part about playing for Tahoma, Tallud said that is his teammates and the camaraderie of the team.

“Just hanging out with good guys and the team being there for each other,” Tallud said.

In golf, Tallud said, the mental aspects of the game are one of the greatest challenges.

“Your worst enemy is yourself and that’s really brought out in golf,” Tallud said.

Playing at the Manila Golf Course with two of his uncles and two professional players stands out to Tallud as his favorite round of golf he has played.

“The weather was great and the course was beautiful,” Tallud said. “It’s something I’ll cherish forever.”

Tahoma golf coach Mike Hanson said that Tallud is an asset to the team and has an incredible work ethic.

“He shows up every day and works really, really, really hard. He’s really dedicated,” Hanson said. “As a golfer on the course he’s just incredibly talented.”

Hanson said Tallud is always willing to help out his teammates and support them.

“All the kids have a ton of respect for him so it’s not surprising they listen to him,” Hanson said.

Tallud said after high school he plans on getting a college degree and also wants to continue golfing and hopes to someday go pro.

“He’s really a focused kid,” Hanson said of what stands out to him most about Tallud. “Then the really obvious one is he’s really stinking good at golf.”