DELPHOS — St. John’s senior golfer Brad Wannemacher has already accomplished one mission for the 2008 campaign: winning Midwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
“That was one of my goals coming into the year. I had been all-MAC my first three years but never Player of the Year,” Wannemacher began.
Today marks the start of a new phase to the year: the tournament.
Wannemacher leads the Blue Jays into today’s Division III sectional at Auglaize Country Club in Defiance.
One might think that with the POY trophy in his possession, Wannemacher might feel the pressure of the honor.
Not so.
“I don’t feel any pressure. I feel I am ready for this,” he acknowledged. “I am more confident than nervous.
“I worked with an instructor, Tom Bader, this summer not only on my swing but my mental approach. What he told me was don’t venture from the game plan and execute what you want to do.
“For example, I played Auglaize Sunday and formulated a game plan. We will have a practice round (Wednesday) and I will see if it’s the right game plan or not.”
It also helps to have been so close a year ago, missing going on to the state tournament by a mere stroke.
“That was a little frustrating, to say the least. That was another thing Bader taught me; never give up,” Wannemacher explained. “I thought I needed a birdie on the last hole last year at district to move on and when I didn’t get it, I gave up. Turns out, I could have made it if I had bogeyed the hole.
“At the same time, last year is last year. Each round this year is a new chance.”
Wannemacher also gives credit to someone familiar with golf success the previous four years, Jefferson grad Dillon Klein (now plying his trade at Oakland, Mich.).
“We talked a lot last year and I have called him this fall to see how he’s doing. It’s good what’s going on with him,” Wannemacher continued. “I figure this; when you are around successful people and learn from them, you have a good chance to be successful. You learn what it takes and what you have to do.”
Wannemacher also hopes that whatever he does during this fall’s tournament run, it won’t be his last.
“I’m getting some interest from colleges but none that big, mostly smaller schools. None have excited me yet,” he added.