Wheaton Warrenville South golfer Sarah Hauenstein is the Athlete of the Week sponsored by ReMax Suburban

Sarah Hauenstein

Wheaton Warrenville South

Golf

Senior

Why Hauenstein was selected: Hauenstein shot a career-best 4-under par 68 to repeat as DuPage Valley Conference champion. Hauenstein, an Illinois recruit and the Suburban Life Athlete of the Week sponsored by ReMax Suburban, spoke with Suburban Life sports editor Joshua Welge. Here is an edited transcript:

Welge: How did you shoot such a great round?

Hauenstein: I felt like I just played really solid golf from the first hole. I started off with a birdie with confidence. I wasn't doing anything special. I was putting well, I didn't get myself into trouble.

Welge: But you had a new putter, right?

Hauenstein: Yes, the day before conference my putter broke. I was out doing a practice round and noticed the front of the face came off. They said it would take 3-4 weeks to replace. I had to pick a totally random putter. It would have been nice to know that I had the comfort of the putter I'm used to, but I think it worked out pretty well.

Welge: How long had you had your old putter?

Hauenstein: I think i got that putter my freshman year. I also didn't have my 6-iron. My lesson coach accidentally took it out of the bag and I didn't have a chance go to back and grab it. I ended up needing it on one of the holes but it worked out fine. Everything works out for a reason, I guess.

Welge: How has this year been different than last? (Hauenstein and Hadley Moritz are Wheaton's only returners from a team that won the Class 2A championship last year).

Hauenstein: Putting in a leadership role, it was something I was a little bit nervous about. It's been cool to watch the younger girls progress.

Welge: How did you get hooked on golf?

Hauenstein: My dad (John Hauenstein) is the girls golf coach at Maine West. He thought that every girl should know the rules of golf. At the time I had been swimming for five years. Golf did not come come easy, I didn't love it at first but I just love the mental challenge and it took off from there. Around eighth grade I got serious about it and I quit basketball and swimming.

Welge: Coach said that you can "overpower a course" with your length. What do you think?

Hauenstein: My distance does help out a lot, especially at state. I've also learned to manage the course. As much as I want to rip a driver to the green, there could be a sand bunker and I need to lay up, resist the urge to bomb a driver. I'd say if I really get a hold of it, I can drive it 270 yards.