Oct. 17—TEUTOPOLIS — Colin and Molly Habing have come a long way when it comes to the game of golf.
Both started playing when they first ventured into high school and, in a matter of a couple of years, have transformed their games to the point where they’re helping their teams, and themselves, achieve lifelong memories.
Colin started playing golf when he was a freshman at Teutopolis.
“I started playing golf just to try out a fall sport,” Colin said. “Before golf, I was into baseball but lost interest because I didn’t play it over the summer entering my freshman year. With golf, I instantly found a passion for the sport because of how frequently I played it with friends and family. I really picked it up more during my sophomore season because of how much I played. Once my junior year came around, I noticed a lot of improvement.
“Looking back on my decision, I think I made a good one.”
As for Molly, her playing career started much sooner.
Molly started playing in the summer of her sophomore year. She was initially a dedicated tennis player but found a love for golf and has since reaped the rewards of hard work and practice.
“I never got into golf until last July. I would chip with my brother and dad in the backyard and that’s where I really started enjoying it,” Molly said. “This summer, I was stuck between tennis and golf.
“It felt a little risky to join a new sport, but luckily, it worked out just fine.”
Both are their team’s No. 3 players.
Both are also heading to the state tournament.
Molly will tee off at 10:09 a.m. on Friday at Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur. Colin tees off at 8:57 a.m. at Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington. Molly is heading to state as an individual, while Colin is joining his entire team, which advanced after placing third at the Class 1A Zeigler-Royalton Sectional.
Teutopolis girls head coach Shannon Hinkle has changed the outlook of the program since taking over two years ago, which was a draw to Molly.
“Coach Hinkle has been extremely supportive and helpful throughout this season,” Molly said. “She always encourages the team to have fun and leave the course with a new friend. This season, I have met lots of new people who make playing more enjoyable.”
The number of players trying out and sticking with the sport has changed from 11 in Hinkle’s first year to 17 in her second.
“My team went from 11 to 17 last year to this year, so I didn’t know what to expect from the new girls that had gone out,” Hinkle said. “I just knew that Molly had basically started playing golf last year at some point but didn’t go out because she was a tennis player. So, when she came out and started playing, we were very pleased with her automatically getting a top spot in the top six. She moved into the third spot as the season progressed and just played consistent golf.”
As for Colin, this is his first stint on the varsity top six. He’s been playing on the junior varsity squad for the last three years.
“This year was the first time he’s played in varsity matches. He’s had a nine-hole round here or there in a J.V. match but never anything consistent,” head coach Mike Wilson said. “He spent a lot of time and did a lot of playing this summer. He came in during the beginning of practice and played well early in qualifiers and I was like, ‘Is this the new norm, or is this another one-off?’ He’s just been solid all year. He’s been our biggest surprise because he’s consistently a scorer or counter.”
Colin started the postseason with a final round 83 at the regional. He then shot a final round 78 at the sectional.
Wilson said all it took was confidence.
“The big thing is being confident; convince yourself that you can hit this shot,” Wilson said. “Once he started this year, I’d leave him alone. He has a very simple approach and does well with it.”
Colin never honestly thought he could accomplish what he’s accomplished.
All he wanted out of his senior year was to earn a spot on the varsity six.
“My expectations this year were to try to make the top six and have a good time and I’d say I accomplished both of those,” Colin said. “During my four-year tenure with the golf team, this year has been the most fun I’ve had. Coming into the season, I was not expecting us to make the state tournament. I knew our team had the potential to make big things happen, but I didn’t think we would all play well enough on the same day to send us to state. The hard work in the summer paid off.”
Colin tied for 16th at the sectional with St. Anthony’s Ryan Schmidt and Joey Trupiano, Mater Dei’s Owen Musenbrock and Will Kampwerth, and teammate Coen Pennington.
He said he felt nervous ahead of the round.
“On the first tee box, I’d recall I was pretty nervous. After five holes, I was four-over-par and told myself, ‘It’s my senior year and I know my team is counting on me to post a respectable score if we want a chance to qualify for state,'” Colin said. “Two holes later, I did just that, putting an 8-iron to 10 feet on the par-3 sixth and making the putt for birdie. Then, on the next hole — the par-5 seventh — I hit one of the best drives I could’ve hit, hit a nice second shot, then stuck my approach shot to 14 feet, making the birdie putt. Safe to say, I was perfectly comfortable with my round after that.
“That sectional will forever be one of my favorite memories of the season. I felt like I didn’t make a lot of mistakes either with selecting the right clubs in the right situations.”
Molly also had a sectional to remember, finishing tied for 12th with Massac County’s Jordan Forthman and Charleston’s Alex Clayton.
“Sectionals started a little rough for me,” Molly said. “I played solid through the first six, doubled the next three holes and ended up with a 46 on the front. I started cleaning things up on the back nine with a 40. My putter was one of the better clubs in my bag.”
Molly shot a final round 89 at the regional, as well.
Over the year, Molly has also lived up to the mantra her coach has set for the team: “She knew she could, so she did.”
“You can’t dwell on the bad shot; you just have to look forward,” Hinkle said. “I feel like taking a deep breath between the green and the tee box was important, too.”
Like her brother, Molly also didn’t expect a state appearance.
“At the beginning of the season, I was more worried about making varsity, let alone going to state,” Molly said. “Throughout the season, I did question it, but I avoided the thought because I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I knew that I would have to have a good round to qualify for state, and luckily, I did.”
Molly will share this experience with her brother — just in two separate locations.
“It means a lot to be able to share this experience with my brother,” she said. “Colin and I practiced a lot over the summer and it is good to know that it has paid off in the postseason.”
“Going to state with my sister means a lot to me and my parents,” Colin added. “I’m incredibly proud of what she has accomplished in her first year as a golfer.”
Now, it’s all about who finishes lower.
Colin alluded to the sibling rivalry that is so commonly talked about with brothers and sisters who are close, but with Molly and Colin, those rivalries don’t necessarily always show.
“At times in our household, we can be a little competitive, whether it comes to golf scrambles or tying at Sullivan with a 41 for low-medalist,” Colin said. “Our sibling rivalry is pretty subtle, but sometimes we have our moments.”
Alex Wallner can be reached at 618-510-9231 or alex.wallner@effinghamdailynews.com.
