After making an exceptional comeback from several strokes down in the UIL-5A Area Tournament, Keltz was tasked with competing
in a “sudden-death” playoff hole for the right to advance to the Regional Tourney.
“My whole goal this season was to make it to Regionals,” he said. “I went there as a sophomore among a team full of seniors. Once they all graduated, I kind of had to play by myself in terms of age. I knew it was going to be hard, but I had to stick to it.
“During that playoff hole in the Area golf tournament, I’d never done that before, so it was pretty nerve racking. I did what my coach told me to do and kept a clear head and just played my game, which led to me winning it.”
That’s not the only struggle he’s dealt with, however.
Keltz was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth, which consists of the body producing a faulty protein that affects the body’s cells, tissues as well as the glands that produce mucus and sweat.
Consequently, the terminal disease impedes his ability to breathe properly, gain weight or grow normally in general. Treatment and medication can ease the symptoms, but there is no known cure as of yet.
That hasn’t stopped Keltz from living, though.
“I wasn’t going to let a disease hold me back from living my life,” said Keltz. “I see all my other friends playing basketball and other sports, so if they can do it — I can do it. Once I got to high school, I turned to golf.
“I don’t think about my affliction as much as I probably should, despite having to take a bunch of pills and use an inhaler when I have trouble breathing. I don’t want to be different, even though I know I am. At the end of the day, I try to be like a normal kid.”
Keltz certainly knows what he wants out of life.
So, what does his future hold?
“I’m not 100-percent sure what the plan is moving forward just yet, but I would love to play any type of college golf if the chance arises,” he said. “I don’t have any offers yet but that would be an amazing opportunity. I’ve applied to some schools so it’s looking like I’ll be going to college, where I intend to pursue a business degree.”
When he isn’t on the course, Keltz also spends his time playing the bass guitar. His fondness for artists such as Tyler Childers and Colter Wall naturally led to him joining a country music band, in which he performs in shows around the city.
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Photo of Bella Flores taken by Marcus Gutierrez of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter: @MarcG14Line)