STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – AUSTIN CHEEK

By Eric Cass

First, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and the best of luck in the coming new year. I would also like to extend a get-well to our fellow member Mark Harman. Mark suffered a bad foot injury and has been slow to recover and get back on the course. Get well soon, Mark.

Now, it is my pleasure to introduce a talented young man that is one of our up-and-coming junior golfers in our area, Austin Cheek of Terre Haute, Indiana. Austin has been a leader to many of our other junior golfers not only on the course, but off the golf course, as well. He is always a gentleman to others and displays a positive and controlled mindset. Self-control plays such a big part in this crazy game.

Austin’s first big goal was to make the high school golf team. Not only did he make the team as a freshman, he also made the top five. Austin’s career low round is a 4-under-par 68. His favorite golfer (other than me) is Rory McIlroy; favorite golf ball is the Titleist ProV1. His dream courses to visit would be Pebble Beach and Augusta National. The traditions and history of these courses and events make them his favorites.

When asked what golf has mean to him, his response was, “Golf has been a defining part of my life since I was young. I’ve played in the Sunday men’s game since I was 12, and each round has deepened my love for the sport. As a freshman at Terre Haute South Vigo High School, I earned a spot on the top five varsity golf team – a milestone that marked the start of an incredible journey. Alongside my passion for golf, I’ve worked hard academically, maintaining a 3.8 GPA while balancing the demands of school and sports. A big part of my success in golf is thanks to my coach, Eric Cass. Coach Cass has been a guiding light, pushing me to grow on and off the course. One of my favorite experiences has been traveling with him and other players on a bus to play different courses. These trips not only helped me develop my skills by tackling new challenges, but also created a sense of community within our team. Coach Cass’s belief in me and his dedication to teaching have been invaluable to my journey. Looking ahead, my ultimate goal is to attend Marian University on a full-ride golf scholarship. I’m eager to continue pursuing my passion for golf while excelling academically at the school that aligns with my aspirations. I’m grateful for the support of my family, coaches, and teammates who’ve been with me every step of the way. Their encouragement motivates me to keep working hard and dreaming big.”

Our program has taught more than 100,000 kids and has created an endless number of success stories since 1989. And it continues to inspire other young men and women toward a brighter future, just like Austin Cheek. Fairways and greens to all.