Dom Brown

Senior Zach Auel plans to keep golf around even if it’s not in college.

Senior Zach Auel’s dad would have defeated him on the golf course a few years ago, but now, the tables have turned.

“My dad introduced me to the sport when I was about 8, but I didn’t start taking it seriously until I was 15,” Auel said. “My favorite memory is playing with him when he was able to beat me, because now he doesn’t stand a chance against me.”

Auel’s interest in the game led him to the Baldwin golf team in his sophomore year. 

“I was excited to play because of all the nice courses I would get the opportunity to play at,” Auel said.  

Now, Auel is in his third year on the team as one of the senior golfers. The experience has been a good one, he said.

“My favorite part about the golf team over the years is meeting new kids from other schools who are fun to play with,” Auel said.

Auel works to inspire the other Baldwin golfers. He also has convinced some to join the team.

“He got me to play by telling me how fun and competitive playing for the school is,” senior Matthew Schenk said. 

That positive attitude toward the sport pays off. 

“His great leadership keeps the vibes high,” senior Caden Cherico said. 

Auel consistently works on his own game. His teammates noticed how his skills have improved from last season.

“His wedges and putting have been unreal this season,” Cherico said. 

Schenk complimented other aspects of Auel’s game. 

“He consistently has the same swing and has a high golf IQ,” Schenk said. 

Auel’s game has also positively affected some of the team’s matches this year. The golf team was able to close the gap in strokes between their first four players and their last four players since last year, Auel said.

Despite being a strong golfer, Auel had challenges to face in his game. During the summer he faced a slump and had to put in extra hours on the course to get his game back on track, Auel said. 

Auel values what he learned from the setback.

“I’ve learned that you cannot let one bad thing ruin all the good things that could happen ahead,” Auel said. 

Auel plans to keep golf around even if it’s not in college. 

“I am not planning on pursuing golf in college, but I will be playing for the rest of my life,” Auel said.