June 5, 2023 at 9:09 a.m.
Tournament golf still new experience for state qualifier Schoppe
Tournament golf still new experience for state qualifier Schoppe
"I saw about 50 people bordering the top of the grass, the nerves really set in," he said. "It was the first time I've ever seen so many people just watching me."
The Rhinelander High School sophomore comes from an accomplished golf family. His dad and uncle were standout Hodag golfers in the late 1980s. His dad, Kass, even played in the Wisconsin State Amateur four years ago when it was staged at Minocqua Country Club. The award for the RHS golf team's most valuable player even bares the Schoppe family name.
Yet Sam Schoppe - who ironically won that award this year - knew little of playing golf outside of doing so casually either at Rhinelander Country Club or Northwood Golf Club.
"I think I've played two other courses. So all of these courses I've played this year, it's my first time ever seeing them and stepping foot on them," he said.
That's what makes the fact that Schoppe is the first Hodag golfer in more than a quarter century to tee it up at the WIAA state tournament even more remarkable. It also helps explain the series of events that unfolded on the 18th hole at RiverEdge that nearly kept that from happening.
Needing par to be in a comfortable position to earn one of three at-large individual qualifying spots to state, Schoppe blocked his tee shot long and right into the woods on the final hole. Though he was able to hit it up by the green in two, nerves set in as he blasted his chip over the green, took another chip to get on and two-putted for a double bogey and a round of 80.
Schoppe walked off the green to sign his scorecard, resigned to the fact that the mistakes likely cost him a spot at state, given that he was trailing three players still on the course for the three at-large spots.
"I'm like, 'Sorry coach, I kind of threw this away,'" he said.
Lo and behold, he didn't. When River Falls' Ryan Swanson finished bogey-double to shoot 81, Schoppe backed his way into the third and final state spot, though he wasn't around to see what happened.
After Swanson lipped out a par putt on 17, Hodag golf coach Adam Schmidt whisked Schoppe back to the driving range to loosen up for a potential playoff. He was pounding range balls when teammate Brody Kowieski and his father, Brad, came over to relay the news of what had just taken place, roughly 150 yards away on the 18th green.
"At first, I thought they were just pulling my leg. I think I hit a few more range balls after that, waiting for them to tell me the truth," Schoppe said. "Then I fully believed it when I went over to talk to my coach."
That unexpected journey has led Schoppe to Kohler where he will conclude play in the 97th WIAA boys' state golf tournament this afternoon at Blackwolf Run. The first round of the 36-hole event took place yesterday morning, after press time for today's edition.
While Schoppe got out and played now and again, up until this spring, most of his springs and summers were spent on a baseball diamond. He played Babe Ruth ball for a number of summers and was on the Hodags' JV team last spring. Ultimately, though, the Schoppe connection to the game of golf, led young Sam to tee it up this year.
"I kind of wanted to keep the (tradition) going. I knew that it made my family happy and it also made me happy how this year ended up," he said.
Schmidt said Schoppe certainly has a game, as well as a demeanor, that helps make up for a lack of tournament experience.
"He handles it so well," Schmidt said. "He usually keeps it down and doesn't try to show a lot of emotion, which I think is good because he doesn't have the ups and downs of getting angry or disappointed. He's a little more level-headed. That's just his character, who he is."
Much like many of the venues Schoppe has played this year, his first taste of the Meadows Course at Blackwolf Run was not until this weekend. He played a practice round there Sunday afternoon before an early wake-up call and a 7 a.m. tee time on Monday.
Schmidt has seen Blackwolf Run before, and he also played in the WIAA state tournament back in his high school days at Wrightstown, so he has an idea of how the course will be set up for the event.
"The rough's going to be longer," he said. "The grass will be way purer than he's used to playing, even (Rhinelander Country Club), it's in really good shape, but Blackwolf Run, I'd be very surprised if it's not in immaculate shape."
Schoppe will be one of 104 players taking part in the Division 1 tournament. Eighty of them are on squads who are still alive for the team state championship. Schoppe's one of 24 individual qualifiers who will only have to mind his own game during the event.
Schmidt said they will go into the event with few expectations, other than to have fun and try to play good golf.
"He's young enough, as a sophomore, I want to make sure he enjoys it. Whatever happens, he enjoys it, he takes it back. It's a great thing to learn. He's got a great swing. He can definitely go low. It will be exciting to see," he said. "I think we just go in and try to have fun. I think if he can hold it together, I think good things will happen."
Added Schoppe, "I know it's going to be a big stage for me, I just really got to calm down and just don't let anything intimidate me, or make me nervous, just stay in my composure and do what I can do and let it all play out."
Team hands out awards
Schoppe took home the top honor last Wednesday when the Hodag golf team held its awards banquet at Northwood. He won the Schoppe Family MVP award with the lowest scoring average on the team of 83.36 strokes per 18 holes, edging out senior Andrew Henrichs and Brody Kowieski for the award.
"This year it was pretty tough," Schmidt noted. "They were all with in a stroke or so, the top three."
Sam Schoppe received the away from his father, Kass, and grandmother, Sharann Schoppe.
Henrichs did not leave empty-handed. The senior earned the Jim Johnson Award as the most improved player on the varsity team for the second time in three years. He improved nearly 7 1/2 strokes per round this year to finish second on the team with an 84.36 scoring average. Henrichs also was recognized for leading the team in greens in regulation (7.57 per round) and as the team captain.
"He's just such a nice young man, so coachable. I really appreciated having him here, being able to work with him and improve his game," Schmidt said. "Just an awesome guy, to be honest with you."
Schoppe was honored as the team's putting leader (32.53 puts per round). Senior Braden Mork led the team in driving accuracy, at 8.36 fairways per round.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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