Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008

Bulldogs' Hawn is top 2A golfer

Waterloo junior took fifth place at state tourney

The latest in a long line of outstanding golfers turned out by the Waterloo High School golf program in recent years, junior Wils Hawn thinks he knows the reason.

It's Bulldogs coach Nancy Neal.

"I think coach Neal has had a lot to do with it. She's a very good coach," Hawn said. "With me, she's able to see what I'm doing wrong and she's able to help me correct it.

"Coach is also very good with the short game. And in the end, that's what it comes down to."

Hawn's immense talent also has helped as well. Second at the Salem Class 2A Sectional, Hawn fired rounds of 74 and 75 to finish in a tie for fifth place at the Class 2A state tournament at Weibring Golf Club in Normal.

That finish, the best of any player in the metro east, has earned Hawn the honor of News-Democrat Class 2A Player of the Year.

Hawn joins former Waterloo players Collin Neeman and Mitchell Gregson as recent winners of the honor.

Among the highlights during the 2008 season for Hawn were wins at the Mississippi Valley Conference Tournament and the Class 2A Carbondale Regional. His 18-hole tournament average was 73.7.

"It was a good year. A very good year ,especially because I was making changes in my swing," Hawn said. "The difference? I think a lot of it had to do with being able to improve with my short game and being more accurate with my irons. Because of that I was able to hit more greens.

"My goal for next year is to help the team get to state. It was great to get there and play well, but if we could get there as a team, that would be a lot of fun."

Hawn was at his best late in the season. He won the MVC and regional championships then lost the sectional title to Centralia's Bo Cook by a stroke.

"It really didn't matter that I didn't win the sectional," Hawn said. "I said all year that my goal was to get to state and when I qualified, I was happy."

Also happy was Neal, who has seen her top player become one the area's best in a short time.

"Wils' strengths are his work ethic and desire. It's hard to get kids to really work at their game, which Wils has spent hours doing. This comes through with his short game." Neal said. "He was working with a new swing at the beginning of the season and was struggling with his game some.

"But he still scored well though because he is so good at getting up and down if he misses a green. You can only do this with lots of practice."

That work ethic and desire was never more evident than at the state finals. Hawn put himself into contention with a 2-over 74 in the first round.

But the Bulldogs top player became ill before teeing off for the second round.

"I threw up like 30 minutes before my tee time. After that I was good to go," Hawn said, laughing. "I was running a very high fever, so I was just glad that I was able to finish.

"Coach Neal was inspirational for me that day. Each hole she was telling me that I could do this and that I was going to play well."

Neal also remembers that Saturday in Normal.

"I think it just helped to have me there as he walked off every green to convince him that he could tough it out and finish the round. I give him all the credit though and this is what I mean about his determination and focus," Neal said. "I think at first he felt disappointed because he felt so good about his chances and had the mindset of going into Saturday's round with a legitimate chance to win.

"When all was said and done, I know he was extremely proud of what he had accomplished in achieving the fifth-place medal."

Contact reporter Dean Criddle at 239-2665 or dcriddle@bnd.com.