Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Elder Ready for Win

 As Point Park University’s golf team began wrapping up at the Grove City Invitational, the last tournament of the fall season, sophomore Austin Elder thought he had won his first golf tournament.            Elder and his best friend, freshman James Daley, realized they had tied for the title. They checked their scorecards to determine who had scored lower on the most difficult hole.            It was settled:  Daley took the title by one stroke, and while both espoused a “We are on the same team” attitude, second-year Head Coach Gabe Bubon saw the situation differently.              “As mad as Austin wanted to be, he could not be that mad because it’s his best friend. It killed James,” Bubon said, “James knows how badly Austin wants to win his first tournament.”            Elder, a business marketing major, grew up in Warren, Ohio, the same hometown as Bubon.            “I’m proud of the kid,” Bubon said. “I think I like him so much because he’s from where I’m from. We went to the same high school, and I know his family. It’s good to see someone do [well] when they are from where you’re from.”            In high school, Elder did his best to participate in all sports: football, basketball, soccer, track, baseball and golf.            “My freshman year in high school, I got called into the athletic director’s office because the first week of school I tried playing golf, soccer and football at the same time,” Elder said with a smile. “He told me I could only play golf and soccer at the same time, or just football and would have to concentrate on playing football. So I picked golf and soccer.”            Elder grew up in a family where competition was a priority.            “Growing up, I would go from school to soccer practice, to golf practice, to basketball practice, come home… eat and do it all over again,” Elder said. “My whole life was just nothing but sports. It was unbelievable.”            During Elder’s junior year, it became clear- golf was the only sport for him.            “I just wanted to golf. So I quit baseball and I quit soccer,” Elder said. “Golf is all individual, you can only get mad at yourself. You don’t have a team to worry about, only yourself.”            Elder was given the opportunity to play sports for Youngstown State University, University of Mount Union, Cleveland State University and Malone University. Elder and Bubon’s prior connection sealed the deal.            “I knew Coach very well from high school. I know how competitive he is so I knew he would have more kids this year after he had time,” Elder said. “He did what he said. He got a lot of good kids and now we’re pretty good. We’re really good, actually.”            Bubon felt mutually.             “We kind of just hit it off. I think it’s because we’re from the same area. We have a lot in common,” Bubon said. “I know what he’s about and he knows what I’m about.”            Bubon chose Elder as the first recruit since Sam Depe III in 1967. Since then, a year has passed and Bubon recognizes Elder’s growth.            “He’s been through it all. He’s grown up from last year,” Bubon said. “He’s more of a leader, letting guys know what it takes to play at the college level and what to expect. The guys look up to him. They know what he can do on the golf course.”            Elder, the present golf team captain, noted  his ability to handle his responsibilities.            “It was a lot of pressure coming in this year because he had six great newly signed people,” Elder said. “For me to be the leader and keep doing what I am doing, it was tough. I got used to it after the first day.”            Daley, an accounting major, keeps it simple. “His scores say it all.  He is good.”            In the collective five tournaments this fall, Elder has placed fifth once and placed second in the other four.            “Not many kids come in second place four straight times,” Bubon said. “He cannot get over the hump. After his last two tournaments, he shot under par, which is phenomenal.  He just has to stick with it. I tell him, ‘It’s just not your time right now. You’re playing the best golf of your life, but it’s just not your time.'”            “Golf’s all mental,” a composed Elder said. “One day you can hit the ball great and score horribly and another day you can hit the ball horribly and score [well]. It’s just learning how to find your game and playing your own game.”

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