Devin Swoyer
Hinsdale
How did you get interested in golf?
I first got interested in golf when my brother, he plays hockey, he was playing in Sioux Falls, S.D. He came back one summer. He started playing and I started playing when I was around 11 with him.
What do you enjoy most about golf?
I kind of just always enjoyed being competitive, and when I stopped playing hockey, this was the best way for me to do that.
How long did you play hockey?
I played from when I was 2 years old until 7, and then I got injured and started playing again when I was 10, and then stopped when I was 11.
How have you improved since your freshman year?
I've actually improved a lot since my freshman year. I was not really that good freshman, sophomore year. Then I just kept practicing and got better.
Do you have any pre-meet superstitions?
I always use the same ball mark and divot repair tool.
What is the best advice you've gotten from a coach?
You can achieve anything you want with hard work.
What is your best score this season?
67 at Conway Farms.
How are you getting ready for regionals this week?
Monday and Tuesday just going to the driving range, practicing some drivers because the course we're playing for regionals (St. Andrews), if you hit your driver well, it's way easier.
What course would you most like to play?
Augusta.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I can juggle.
What will you do next year?
I'm planning on taking a gap year to focus on golf to see where I could play.
Why does coach Serge Penksik like having Swoyer on the team?
He has been making tremendous progress on our team. He is not the biggest or longest hitter on the team, but he has an excellent short game and his putting lets him shoot some very low scores. He also has become an influential leader on our team and works hard to make sure the rest of the team shares his focus for our team's success.
- profile by Pamela Lannom, photo by Jim Slonoff
