THE FRONT ROW with JASON ELLIOTT: Lambert's lesson and love for the game of golf

The game of golf has been really good to Lake City High senior Trey Lambert.

He’s had some really good days on the course.

It opened the door to his next step in life at Boise State next fall.

And while he was out for a season due to injury, it might have taught him the most valuable lesson he’s learned.

IN THE summer before his sophomore season, Lambert — who has battled scoliosis, a curving of the spinal cord — underwent surgery to fix the problem, which had started to become painful as he grew.

“To be honest, I didn’t know if I’d be able to perform like this again in golf when I had the surgery,” said Lambert, who is 6-foot-1. “I got a six-month checkup, and was told by the doctors that my back got worse, and I had to have surgery in August.”

Right as the high school season was to begin.

“It was right in the peak of the season, and it was kind of hard to know that I was going to be out my entire sophomore season,” Lambert said. “But it was also a valuable lesson to see the things that truly matter outside of golf. If I lost golf, I had to discover who I am outside of the sport. That was a big lesson I learned. It was all a learning process, but I’m glad I’m back now.”

Although he was out, Lambert continued to come to practice and encourage his teammates.

“I couldn’t swing a club for four months after the surgery, and those were just chip shots when I could finally do it,” Lambert said. “I didn’t really get back to full speed until nine months after that.”

Lambert played the Northwest Junior circuit during the summer, getting back to full-time golf for the first time in 2025.

“Getting back into the swing of things was really tough,” Lambert said. “But in my first high school tournament, I was 1-under after the first nine holes, and it was hard to recover. I finished 6-under on the back half, and that was just a huge confidence booster. It really let me know that I was capable of doing those kinds of things still, even if I hurt my back. That kind of showed me that if you’re hurt, it doesn’t really change the things you can do.”

As a freshman in 2023, Lambert finished fourth at state at the Lewiston Country Club. As a junior last year, Lambert was fourth in a card-off after leading after the first round of the tournament at RedHawk Golf Course in Nampa.

Healthy for the most part, Lambert added there were still some times when things weren’t quite right as he returned to the course.

“Sometimes last summer, my back was still recovering, and I’d have those swings where I’d just pop out of it because my back twitches,” Lambert said. “But that’s completely gone away, and that’s helped a lot. It’s mostly about proving to myself that I’m back to where I started mentally and performance wise.”

BEFORE STARTING his junior season, Lambert verbally committed to continue golfing at Boise State. 

“I’ve played a lot of golf in the Pacific Northwest and so a lot of schools like Oregon State, Washington State and schools like that were part of my other options,” Lambert said. “But the thing that stuck out about Boise State was the community and coach they have there is just amazing. The belief they had in me was just amazing and not like other coaches. And that was something that I valued the most. I know if I’ve got a coach that believes the sky is the limit, I can only go up from there.” 

Lambert had not received an offer from either Oregon State or Washington State before committing to Boise State in September of 2025. 

“They both had a lot of interest in me,” Lambert said. “I committed pretty early and just had a feeling that Boise State was the right option for me. I love the town. I love the colors. They’ve got a good football team, so that’s going to be fun to watch. It’s a good social life too, so it’s going to be a good time.” 

Lambert won five straight tournaments — six overall — to start his senior year, including tying the course record of 63 at The Links Golf Club on Sept. 24 at the Lakeland Invitational.

“The pressure is way off my back,” Lambert said. “When I was playing with all those coaches watching, it was pretty stressful. Now I’ve got one to worry about. When I play bad, he (Boise State golf coach David Trainor) knows it’s about the process and doesn’t freak out. He’s just a great dude. It’s not much pressure. I just go out, have fun, and see what the course is giving me that day and just try my best.” 

Lambert tied the course record shared by five others, including Post Falls High star Joseph Glenn, former Lakeland High star Derek Bayley, Zach Stockton and Tom Chen.

“It was one of those rounds where it definitely felt like I couldn’t miss,” Lambert said. “The weather was perfect, and everything lined up. I made a lot of putts. I holed out from 96 yards out, so that always helps too. I had a good group too with my buddy Bode (Eacret) from Sandpoint, so it’s easier to play well when you’re having fun in between shots and not taking it so seriously.” 

Last Monday, Lambert finished third at regionals, qualifying for the state 6A tournament, which is Monday and Tuesday at Avondale Golf Club in Hayden.

“I just need to soak it all in and enjoy the experience while I have it,” Lambert said. “Avondale doesn’t really suit my game the most. My driver is probably the best club in my bag, and I can actually hit it two times there. It’s just about making the right decisions and with the bad shots, try not to get mad at them and accept them. Sometimes, you just need to take your medicine and move forward and enjoy the moment while you have it. High school golf has been such a great experience for me.”

“He’s always out here and playing constantly,” second-year Lake City coach Nik Bjurstrom said. “He’s always encouraging the other guys on the team and he just loves the game of golf. He puts in the work, but it’s not work for him. He just likes being out here at the course, and that’s what makes a huge difference for him.”

Bjurstrom also doesn’t count out his senior next week when it comes to contending for an individual title.

“Trey can hit the ball a mile, and it’s enjoyable to watch,” Bjurstrom said. “When he can play that way, and be ahead of the other guys in his group, it’s fun to watch. Most boys can hit the ball a long way, but he’ll find himself 40 yards ahead of everyone else. Avondale, it’s a target golf course, so it takes his length out of the equation. But he’s such a consistent player and can put himself into scoring positions that can play well. It’s just not as enjoyable for him to play that way.”

IN AN effort to stay active, Lambert joined the school’s tennis team last spring and played boys doubles alongside Josh Rojo, advancing to the state tournament.

“That was just me and my buddy Josh messing around the entire time,” Lambert said. “It was a good time and I really loved it. I was already committed to golf, and didn’t do much in the winter or spring, and I’d always liked pickleball. So I thought I’d try tennis out, and thought, ‘hey, I’m not bad at this,’ and gave it a shot. Before you know it, we made it to state. We got our butts kicked, but at least we made it. That was a fun experience.” 

Rojo graduated last spring, but Lambert is still weighing playing tennis again this spring.

“My doubles partner is gone, but it’s definitely an option,” Lambert said. “I’m not certain yet. I’m going to focus more on getting more golf practice this spring. This winter, I’m going to be the team manager for the boys basketball team. Hopefully that doesn’t bleed into the tennis season.”

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for The Press. He can be reached by telephone at 208-664-8176, Ext. 1206 or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on ‘X’, formerly Twitter @JECdAPress.   

    Courtesy photo Lake City senior Trey Lambert shot a 10-under-par 63 to tie the course record in the Lakeland Invitational at The Links Golf Club in Post Falls on Thursday.