Athletes of the Month

Senior Captain Nicole Baum (‘23), makes lasting contributions to her team as the season presses on.

By Marina Saviceva-Noti

October 2022’s Gregg Schindler Female Athlete of the Month is golfer Nicole Baum (‘23), who encompasses the idea of practice, improvement, and performance, all while being a beacon of determination for her teammates. Her cando attitude and appreciative personality carry over from school and make her a great Team Captain and player.

“I love the team atmosphere and the camaraderie that we have; it’s nice to know that even while we’re playing alone, there’s people who are rooting for me and want the team to succeed,” she said.

Baum started playing golf in her freshman year, when she first joined the team. It didn’t take long for her to start vigorously working on her game, practicing during both the team practices and on her own time, even when weather conditions aren’t ideal for normal range/ course practice.

“I go to the range every day that I can, and if I can’t, I chip or hit in my backyard. It’s also important to play on the course a lot so you know what needs improving and to practice your course management, so I do that as well. I keep practicing as often as possible and make sure others are too.” she said.

As a Captain, Baum leads her team’s morale and helps everyone out when they need it. She tries to have necessary provisions, like snacks, drinks, and band-aids. She also monitors the younger and less experienced players and helps with rulings, scoring, and warmup. During matches, she also shows respect toward the opposing team, helping their players play the best they can and giving a fair match for everyone. On the course, she shows the proper example of etiquette and maintains a steady pace of play even when others are struggling.

“I’m good at staying calm and level headed; I don’t really get emotional even when I’m having a bad day. I hope to make new members feel welcome and included and to keep the friendly feeling going even when I’m off to college,” she said.

As the season crawls closer to the state series (District, Regionals, and State Tournaments), the team aims to reach the State Tournament, a two-day 36 hole event in Orlando. Baum has a personal goal of shooting lower than 84 for 18 holes by the end of the season. After high school, she plans to go to college and study at a prestigious university, possibly playing golf on their team.

“Even though I don’t want to be a professional golfer, it’s a sport I enjoy and would like to continue playing,” she said.

Congratulations to Nicole Baum for being selected as the October 2022 Gregg Schindler Female Athlete of the Month.

Baum poses with the head pro at Southern Hills Plantation Club after winning a monthly tournament hosted at the club. She plays in events outside the high school matches to improve her game further and practice being in a more competitive environment. Photo courtesy of Karen Baum.

October’s Gregg Schindler male athlete of the month, is senior Evan Zehm.

By Aerial Stonis

October’s Gregg Schindler male athlete of the month, is senior Evan Zehm. During his freshman year, Zhem started playing golf, as well as joining the Mitchell boy’s golf team. Since then, he has made various achievements, contributing to his team and improved greatly during the 4 seasons he’s been playing for, with goals of playing in college and professionally.

After breaking his ankle during his 8th grade year, Zehm made the switch from soccer to golf. Now a solid player of the team for 4 years, he puts his all into every shot as well as being a leader especially by supporting his teammates.

“My dad got me into it [golf], he helps me, motivates me, to do better, and to do more tournaments. Golf seemed enjoyable, you have 4 hours to relax and enjoy the course,” Zehm said.

Recalling his most rewarding moment during a tournament hosted by George Jenkins High School in September of this year, Zehm shot under par placing top 10 in a field of 100 people.

“Shooting under par when I was struggling to play well but I still kept through it and ended up placing top 10 was my greatest achievement this season,” Zehm said.

Since he started playing golf, Zehm realized how important his mental game was while playing. For a sport like golf, which is much more individual than other sports, having a strong mental focus and ability to let the “last shot go” is a vital part of being a successful athlete.

“If you feel like you’re swinging, good you feel more confident, it makes you more motivated to go out and play more, and shoot better, and have more energy and not get frustrated. It’s all mental you could have a good swing but then get frustrated after one bad one shot and then you’re shooting a bad score. Work on your mental game and work on your short game,” Zehm said.

Zehm continues to be a huge asset to his team and as his high school season comes to an end Zehm hopes to continue playing in college and then eventually playing professionally.

Congratulations to the Gregg Schindler male student athlete for the month of October, Evan Zehm!

Senior Evan Zehm practices swinging with a hybrid at Hunter’s Green Country Club in late August. “It’s accurate, I’m a longer hitter so I hit the ball further, if there’s a tighter hole and I don’t have as much room to hit it a little bit off target, then I can just take the hybrid and almost ensure that I’m going to get the ball in,” Zehm said. Photo provided by Evan Zehm