For Brok McDaniel, this golf season became about much more than scores on a scorecard. It became proof of how far persistence and positivity can take an athlete.
McDaniel entered the season with a simple goal: break 100.
“My primary focus this season was to break a hundred,” McDaniel said. “I was never really that good of a golfer, and to break 100 was my main goal.”
That breakthrough finally came at Oswego when he carded a 96. He followed that performance with a 93 at Pittsburg and believed he had already accomplished the biggest milestone of his season.
Then came another breakthrough.
“Just on Monday the 11th I managed to break 90 with an 88,” McDaniel said.
The improvement has been significant from a year ago. Last season, McDaniel competed in nine tournaments with a scoring average of 116 and a low round of 98. This year, his average has dropped to 102, highlighted by an 88 and a third-place medal at Pittsburg Countryside Golf Course with a score of 93.
McDaniel credits much of that progress to determination and maintaining a positive attitude, even during difficult rounds.
“I would say my strengths are determination and positivity,” he said. “There were many times in which I have not had fun playing golf, or was just not feeling it that day, but I never quit. I always pushed through with my team and finished the tournament.”
That mindset has also helped him become an important presence for his teammates. With a small roster, McDaniel understands how important energy and morale can be during long tournament days.
“I stay very positive,” he said. “I’m happy throughout it all, whether it be on the way to the tournament or on the course itself. I feel like if I’m not positive, I’m not going to have fun at golf. I try and keep up the morale through our team.”
Another area McDaniel focused on this season was improving the consistency of his ball striking. He said topping the ball had been an issue in the past, but he has steadily improved through experience and time on the course.
“I wanted to work on hitting the ball straighter and better,” McDaniel said. “I’ve definitely gotten better this last season.”
Now, after surpassing many of his original expectations, McDaniel has set his sights even higher as the season continues.
“A successful season for me would be to medal and manage to make it to state,” he said. “I never really thought I would shoot this good, and since I could have a chance at making state, having the opportunity to do that would be amazing.”
