Couple Questions with Sam Evenson
Q: Could you please provide some information about yourself, including your age, school, and the golf team you play on?
A: Certainly! I'm currently 20 years old, a junior at Augustana University and a member of the Augustana (Augie) men's golf team located in Rock Island, Illinois.
Q: Can you share any stats regarding your performance in tournaments, such as your scoring average?
A: My scoring average is 73.56, and I recently achieved my first victory in both my golf and collegiate career at the Duane Chaney Invitational. I've also managed to accomplish two holes-in-one. The first one, an Albatross, occurred at Hayward Golf and Country Club with my Poppy (Paul Dunham, my grandpa). The second one happened just this year in September at Highland Springs during an Augie Invitational on hole 13!
Q: Do you have any goals or dreams related to golf that you'd like to share?
A: Absolutely! My goals include lowering my average score to 72 or less and qualifying for the national golf tournament during the spring season.
Q: Could you tell us any interesting or fun stories about your experiences in golf?
A: In the high school state golf tournament, we ended up getting kicked out of Dick's Sporting Goods for playing hide and seek and throwing balls across the top floor. Additionally, when I was younger, I accidentally hit a golf ball through my grandparents' window.
Q: Is it alright if I tag you and your school in social media posts?
A: Of course! You can tag Augiemgolf, the team's account on Instagram . On Facebook it's Augustana Viking Athletics , or the website https://athletics.augustana.edu/sports/mens-golf
Q: Do you have a favorite golf quote or saying that resonates with you?
A: One of my favorite golf quotes is: "The course is going to give you strokes, and you're going to give the course strokes, but you just have to try and eliminate the strokes you give to the course."
Q: Who is your favorite golfer?
A: Jordan Spieth is my favorite golfer.
Q: What advice do you have for other golfers?
A: My advice to other golfers is to keep working hard and never feel like you've played enough golf. The results will come from the effort you put into it.
Q: Could you please explain your unique scoring system and how it works?
A: We use the Decade system to analyze our game and identify areas that need improvement. For example, if there's a pin on the right side of the green, five paces off the fringe, and it's 175 yards away, we take 10% of that number and divide it by two, which gives us 8.5. Therefore, to eliminate bad misses, a great shot would be missing left of the pin by 3.5 paces. When the round is entered into the system, it provides insights into what aspects we should focus on improving and where we gain or lose strokes.
Q: Could you share which tournaments you have participated in?
A: I competed in the State High School Golf Tournament during my junior year of high school. We likely would have returned for my senior year, but unfortunately, that was when COVID-19 struck.
Who Is Sam Evenson??
Sam Evenson was raised in Holmen Wisconsin to parent's Meredith (Dunham)Evenson and Kevin Evenson. He has an older sister Kayla and a twin brother Drew. Sam Evenson, a Junior at Augustana University, is currently majoring in Pre Med. His journey with golf began at the age of 7 when his Grandma Linda introduced him to the driving range. Recognizing his potential, she enlisted the help of her husband, Paul, affectionately known as Sam's Poppy, to mentor and guide him both on and off the course. This unique partnership formed a strong bond between them and imparted valuable life lessons that Sam carries with him to this day.
During our conversation, Sam shared a touching story about the significance of the wedges he plays with. Each wedge represents a family member who has battled cancer, including his Poppy, grandma, and his twin brother, Drew, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. As a Pre Med student, Sam's dedication to his studies and his love for golf intertwine with the support and inspiration he receives from his family.
It was Grandma Linda, an avid golfer herself, who first noticed Sam's exceptional talent and eagerness to learn. Encouraged by her observations, she urged Poppy to nurture Sam's budding golf skills. Together, they ventured out onto the course, where Poppy provided guidance and mentoring to help Sam unlock his full potential.
Sam's journey in golf has not only given him enjoyment on the course but has also shaped his character and perspective on life. The special connection he shares with his family, particularly his Poppy, serves as a constant reminder of the strength and resilience he possesses.
As Sam continues his education and pursues a career in medicine, the values instilled in him through his experiences with golf and his family will undoubtedly guide him in his future endeavors.
Sam makes his Second Hole in one at Highland Springs on hole 13 in September of 2023!
Sam drains the putt on the 2nd playoff hole in the Duane Chaney Invitational at Pinnacle CC on Sept 8th, 2023. He became Augustana's first individual champion since October 5, 2017.
