This season has been about more than scores for Labette County’s Reece Ludwig. It has been about growth, consistency and making the most of his final opportunity with teammates he has competed alongside for four years.
“My main focus was to make it to state,” Ludwig said. “In the last three years individually I have not come close to it except last year I was four strokes off. Another focus was to consistently shoot in the 80s and as the season has gone on I have progressively been able to succeed at that. And lastly, go and live in the moment. This is the last time I will be able to do this with my teammates and the other golfers that I have gotten to know over the last four years.”
Ludwig said one of his biggest strengths on the course is his mental approach, especially when rounds become difficult and every stroke matters.
“I think my strengths are that I can maintain the right mindset throughout the round,” he said. “On a game of one stroke could be placing fifth to not being on the top 10. Every stroke matters and most people can let that get to their head, but I try my hardest to forget about it right then and there and not let it carry over to the next shot.”
He added that support from coaches and teammates has helped him stay composed during competitive rounds.
“My coach helps a lot when it happens, either trying to help me improve what I did wrong or just say something to make me smile and lets me have a different mindset,” Ludwig said. “On the course it is hard to try to help your teammates out, but if it’s at practice, trying to tweak their swing or just listening to music on the ride to a meet, we try to keep the morale up and keep all of us in the right mindset.”
Improving consistency has also been a major point of emphasis for Ludwig, particularly with his short game and driving accuracy.
“This season I wanted to be more consistent on hitting my clubs, whether that’s from hitting a putt and having better speed control or being able to hit my driver more consistently in the fairway,” he said. “In the offseason I got a new driver with better technology and I played a lot of golf with my grandpa.”
Ludwig said his grandfather played a key role in helping him refine his swing and approach to the game, especially as his busy schedule limited his ability to compete in tournaments outside of school.
“This summer and every summer in high school I have had a job so I was never able to travel and play in tournaments, so every chance I would get I would be playing golf with my grandpa, working on my consistency,” he said. “My grandpa has helped me change my golf swing and watch and be able to tell me what I was doing wrong.”
As the season winds down, Ludwig said his team’s goal remains clear.
“A successful season as a team would be qualifying for state,” he said. “I truly believe if we all have a good round we can do that. If everyone goes out and does their best we would know we gave it our all and live it up while you are there. I think if we stay out of our heads and play solid golf, we can do it.”
