Last Friday's personal-best 75 at the Valparaiso Sectional was far from an expected result for Chesterton sophomore golfer Zach Von Huben.
"My goal this season was to letter on the team," said Von Huben, who started the year as the No. 1 golfer on the junior varsity. "To help the team out in the sectional was just amazing."
Von Huben was just one shot from medalist honors, and the sophomore's team-low round helped the Trojans take the team crown.
"I think the team winning the sectional was a lot more believable; they're a well-rounded team which played to their potential," Von Huben said. "Just playing well -- for me -- was icing on the cake."
Von Huben played the sport on and off until he took a more serious approach the summer before he entered high school. He played on the JV last season, and kept plugging away this season.
"I don't think I took a day off this entire season -- even on the weekends," Von Huben said. "Golf is such an up-and-down game. You never know what can happen."
Von Huben carded a 41 on May 15 in a nine-hole Duneland Athletic Conference match against Michigan City and Portage, and had a 44 in a DAC match with LaPorte and Merrillville two days later.
He remained in the lineup due to the combination of his play and a family emergency that took starter Logan Krantz out of the lineup the past week.
"He just worked himself into the lineup," Butler said. "He played lights out. If he plays within himself, he can get on a roll."
That wasn't the case at the DAC meet, where Von Huben shot an 88 and the team placed seventh at The Brassie, their home course.
"Our coach's speech after the DAC really put me in a mindset that I needed to focus more and play to my potential," Von Huben said.
Through four holes at Forest Park, Von Huben was at 1-under, and he also noticed his teammates fairing rather well.
"I waited a little after a tee shot, and I was able to see some teammates birdie a hole," Von Huben said. "That was very reassuring to me."
The focus turns to Beechwood Golf Course and Friday's LaPorte Regional, and Von Huben has positive vibes about the event.
"When you play golf and have confidence, the game can be so much easier to play," he said. "I expect good things from our team."
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