SPORTS
Elsen finds success on links at young age
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by Adam Holt
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Jordan Elsen was destined to be a golfer from the day he could walk.
“My father started me at a young age,” Elsen said. “He used to cut down clubs for me when I could probably barely walk. Ever since he’s had me swinging the golf clubs.”
The early start paid off, as Elsen, a sophomore on the UW men’s golf team, was the only underclassman to compete this past fall. However, his place on the team was not so much an honor as it was an expectation.
“From the get-go I just really wanted to be out there playing right away,” Elsen said. “Just from where I came from and what I think my ability is, I think I should be in there week-in and week-out.”
His ability was recognized midway through Elsen’s sophomore year of high school, when the Kenosha native left his home state for the David Leadbetter Golf Academy. Elsen had attended a weeklong camp at the prestigious training facility during the summer, and when the coaches saw his potential, they invited him to move down full time to attend school and receive instruction.
And as with any life-changing move, it was not an easy decision for the teenager.
“Imagine a 15-year-old kid who is just starting to be away from home for the first time,” Elsen said. “It was hard at first, separating from my family was very difficult, … but golf was something I really wanted to pursue, and my parents knew that. So I guess they let me go and I went on my way.”
The sacrifice would pay off, as Elsen would end up the 99th ranked player in the 2006 recruiting class, according to Golf Week magazine. Elsen attributes that ranking, and the multiple top-five junior tournament finishes he accumulated, to the instruction he received in the Florida academy.
“I have so much more knowledge about the golf swing, and fundamentals and technique,” Elsen said. “Overall, it was definitely worth it, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
Ironically enough, it was the move to Florida that would lead Elsen back to Wisconsin. Having built a reputation at the David Leadbetter Academy, the UW golf team was eager to see him come home.
“His ball-striking is what really drew us to him,” UW head coach Jim Schuman said of Elsen. “He hits it a long ways for a [smaller] guy; he’s very strong.”
The attraction was mutual. Besides the appeal of being close to home again, Elsen was excited to play under Coach Schuman, who has an impressive résumé.
“I’d definitely say the coach [was a reason],” Elsen said. “He’s very knowledgeable about the golf swing and mechanics. And he’s (PGA Tour golfer) Jerry Kelly’s coach, so I figured he has to be pretty knowledgeable about the game. He’s taught me a lot about what it’s going to take to get to the next level.”
Elsen has continued his success at UW, consistently ranking among the top five Badgers during the 2007-08 season. Schuman attributes the results to Elsen’s drive and competitiveness.
“His work ethic is fantastic,” Schuman said. “He’s willing to put in and do whatever it takes to reach that next level.”
As far as being a described “competitor,” Elsen couldn’t agree more.
“I really don’t like to lose at anything,” Elsen said. “I really don’t like the feeling of losing at all.”
Competitiveness alone doesn’t necessarily translate to results, however, and Schuman admits improvement in Elsen’s short game is a goal for the season.
“The short game, putting, chipping, pitching… and his scoring, those two are definitely related,” Schuman said. “Sixty yards and in, we need to get Jordan Elsen to become a more consistent player.”
Schuman knows Elsen will improve greatly in this area throughout his college career, especially since he’s still young. He also believes Elsen will have a career in golf after school.
“No doubt about it; it’s just a matter of [his] application of time,” Schuman said. “I don’t think he’s probably come close to reaching his potential yet.”
Elsen confidently agreed.
“Since day one, since I’ve been a little kid I’ve always wanted to turn pro and play on the PGA Tour,” Elsen said. “Golfing [at UW] is one of the things that will help me get to where I want to be in the future.”
Anonymous (April 24, 2008 @ 7:17am):
Good article!
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