York golfer Aidan Mann is the Athlete of the Week sponsored by Makinney-Gracik

Aidan Mann

York

Golf

Junior

Mann shot a one-over par 72, leading the Dukes to the championship of the Dundee-Crown Charger Invite on Sept. 16 from the blue tees at Randall Oaks Golf Course in West Dundee. Mann's score of 72 was good for fourth individually. Mann, the Suburban Life Athlete of the Week sponsored by Makinney-Gracik, spoke with sports editor Joshua Welge about the season and how he started in golf. Here's an edited transcript:
 
Welge: What was the key to your round?

Mann: Throughout the day I put the ball on the fairway a lot. That helped a lot. My wedges were good. Here and there putts were falling. I played conservative, and I played smart. I had a good feeling. We were talking about it on the bus, coach said it was a scoreable course.

Welge: How's your season going?

Mann: Our team is 5-0 in conference. We've played pretty well so far. I'm excited for the end of the year.

Welge: Is it true that you have a hockey background?

Mann: Yes, my dad runs a hockey company here in Chicago. I grew up playing hockey. About four or five years ago I switched over completely to golf.

Welge: Why the switch?

Mann: It was in eighth grade, I had been around hockey my whole life and I started picking up golf. I thought I had a better chance to play golf in college.

Welge: Where do you train at?

Mann: It's called The TPS Player Service, it's based in Downers Grove. It's a select group of guys. Our coach has had like 70 guys commit to Division I colleges. I started there two years ago. It's helped me an insane amount. I shaved about eight strokes this winter. A 75, 76 average is about where I'm at now.

Welge: What's the hardest course we've played on?

Mann: West Baraque Arizona. I went there on vacation with my family. It's the trickest course I've ever seen.

Welge: Have you ever had a hole-in-one?

Mann: No, but four or five times I've put it within a couple inches. Last week at Maple Meadows I holed out from 88 yards.