Harrison Waltz '23 Recruiting Profile

I’ve had to overcome a huge obstacle in my life. I was told before the start of my sophomore year of football that I had an enlarged aorta and bi-cuspid aortic valve which prevents me from contact sports and high intensity activities. I could no longer play 3 three sports I loved, football, basketball, and baseball. I picked up golf in spring of 2021 and struggled to figure out how to be consistent. I had also just been recovering from ankle surgery I had in February so it was tough moving around. During the winter of 2021 into 2022 I started going to the “Algona Golf Ranch” just north of Algona which features 2 robo-golfs, 3 simulators, a GEARs system, driving range, and a putt-view green. During the winter I completely changed my swing using the robo-golf to be more consistent, and to be able to use my full body and not just my arms like I had been. I saw a HUGE score decrease from 2021 to 2022. I went from JV-5 shooting mid 60s-high 50s to the Varsity 2 shooting high-mid 40s. And over the summer of 2022 I have been getting a lot better as well. I am just starting to understand why I hit a draw or fade, and what each shot shape feels like. Currently I have my score down to low 40s-high 30s per 9 holes and a 81.6 avg per 18 holes. 1% better everyday.