On Mar. 18, the boys varsity golf team had a match against Colfax where the team had a score of 231. Golf is a worldwide sport with around 206 countries and dependent territories having their own golf courses.
Shane Memel and Hank Buljan both share their experiences about playing golf. Memel has played golf for Oakmont for one year, while Buljan has golfed for two. They emphasize the different aspects of this sport including the physical and mental obstacles they have faced.
“It’s not a perfect game, so you’re gonna have bad shots,” Buljan said. “For me, the mental aspect of the game is the hardest because it really affects my game when I’m not doing well.”
Buljan continues to expand on the mental aspect, sharing that in order to have a good game, the player needs to have a positive attitude and focus on their current hole, not their previous ones.
“[Having a good attitude] affects your game in a positive way because you realize that even if you hit a bad shot, you’re focused on how you come back,” Buljan said.
Memel adds to that by sharing a piece of advice for anyone who wants to start golfing. In order for a player to improve, they have to put in the work through their practice.
“[You] can’t just be hitting balls for fun. You got to be really, really putting in the work and acknowledging what you’re doing and making sure you’re doing it [right],” Memel said.
However, even though golf can be very challenging, golf is also a very beautiful and social sport. Both players share that they have made many friends and amazing memories through playing together at Oakmont.
“So I love to play with other people, whether it’s my family or my friends, like me and Shane go to the same country club together with each other all the time, just to entertain,” Buljan said.
Golf doesn’t always have to be a social sport but it can also be an individual one. Memel shares that he’s been golfing since he was a little kid so he’s been able to improve on his skills when he’s played by himself or with his friends.
Buljan and Memel were asked if they would rather be the best player on the worst team or the worst player on the best team. Both players agreed that being the best player on the worst team would be the best option because that would allow both of them to help coach the other players while also enjoying the sport for themselves.
“[If] you’re the best player, [you can] really inspire them to get better,” Memel said.
Even though Buljan and Memel believe that playing golf can be challenging, ultimately, they enjoy playing together.
