Carter Hassenplug, ’25, has done it again. After a fierce two rounds of battling in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference’s Men’s golf fall championship, he has earned the top spot and is taking a one-stroke lead into the offseason.
Scores will transfer over into the spring rounds to finalize the tournament in May, and Hassenplug shot a field-best even par through the first two days. Despite being above the rest, he always searches for more and knows there is room for improvement.
“After the first day to see that I was three-under in those conditions playing, it was a nice little pat on the back,” Hassenplug said. “The second day I played just as good, just a couple shots here and there at the wrong time, cost me a couple strokes. Mentally, I’m in a state where I’m three-under, four-under even though I’m even, but either way, it’s a good score.”
Not only does the physical realm contribute to one’s score, but perhaps even more imperative is the mental aspect of the game.
At the Avalon Lakes Golf Course in Vienna, Ohio, rain and cold weather made it difficult for the conference’s best to stay composed. Despite the conditions, Hassenplug was able to keep his mental game in check.
“Just being prepared,” Hassenplug said on what led to his success. “That’s what my dad always taught me growing up — just being prepared for whatever weather you’re going to play in, and take it as it comes.”
While reflecting on the first half of his season, Hassenplug stated that he wanted to become more consistent on a personal and team level. While he and others strung together quality rounds, there were other moments where a double bogey or lip out on a three-foot putt would cost everybody a stroke here and there.
As a team, the Gators hold second place heading into the spring PAC Championship rounds, one shot behind Washington & Jefferson. Choosing to hone in on tidying up the small details or not could result in staying where they are to finish next semester or leaping the Presidents into first place.
One of the best shots in the fall rounds from all golfers came from Hassenplug. During day one, he was staring down a 195 yard tee shot to a par-three green on the eighth hole. With water to his left, Hassenplug aimed for the center of the putting surface with draw on the ball. Fortune favored the brave, and Hassenplug landed the shot three feet to the pin, as it spun to within an inch of what would have been his first-ever ace.
Although he will have to wait another day for the all-glorifying hole in one, he had a tap in birdie after finessing a tremendous shot into a tight location.
“It was either going to be really bad or really good,” Hassenplug said. “That was definitely the highlight shot of the week.”
