IFPGT Alumni Interview Series #3 Aaron Monson

                                                         (Photo courtesy of Univ. of Indy Athletics and Aaron Monson)




     You just never know what can happen in golf.  That’s one thing Aaron Monson has learned in his young golf career.  The former Perry Meridian golfer wanted to be a basketball player and point guard growing up, but his golf game had other plans.  He didn’t take golf seriously until high school when all of the sudden he started winning.  After a successful high school run which included competing in the State finals twice, Monson decided to take his game to the collegiate level as a University of Indianapolis Greyhound.  Since then, he’s attained the school’s 36 hole scoring record with an impressive 133 (66, 67).  And he won the PGA Indiana State Open at the age of 20 with a score of 63 in the final round.  The University of Indianapolis golf team has arrived as a contender and due in large part to the play of now senior Aaron Monson.        

Aaron Monson competed on the Indy Fall Prep Golf Tour (IFPGT) in high school and was grateful to be asked to be a part of our Alumni Interview Series. 

The following interview was conducted in July 2011.  The entire interview was transcribed by the IFPGT and edited by the IFPGT and Aaron Monson. –J.L. 

IFPGT:  So what are you up to now?

Monson:  I’m actually about to head down to South Carolina.  I like to take about 2 weeks every summer and go down there and play in some different tournaments against some different competition.  I’m going to play in the U.S. Amateur Qualifier down there and also the Oglethorpe Invitational. 

IFPGT:  How’s your game?

Monson:  It’s pretty good.  I’ve been working with Jack Barber at Meridian Hills.  We’ve fine tuned some things.   This year I’ve started to find my game a little more.  In the State Am, I thought I really had a chance to win, but I never really got anything going when I needed some momentum.  Overall, I’m hoping to get another win soon to boost my confidence and get over that hump of winning again. 

IFPGT:  What specifically would you say you are working on with Jack Barber? 

Monson:  Just a lot of the little technical solid basics, grip, alignment, stance, posture.  Little things that if you don’t fine tune every once in a while they can hurt your golf swing.  And also just getting back in the mindset of going out there and trying to go as low as I can on each round.

IFPGT:  What would you say is your biggest strength and your biggest weakness?

Monson:  Biggest strength I think is my mental approach.  I don’t mind tough conditions or bad weather.  I like to have a challenge out there.  My weakness, I put too much pressure on myself at times, and I forget it’s just a game and to just have fun.  I think sometimes I expect wins to come regularly, and it’s very rare for anyone to win consistently.  Part of growing as a golfer is learning that you aren’t going to win every time you go out there.  If you have some fun and you play well, you never know what will happen. 

IFPGT:  What would you say is the best golf tip anyone ever gave you? 

Monson:  Just to remember that it’s just a game and have fun, I think that’s the best tip anyone can ever get.  I think a lot of people take for granted how lucky they are to play golf and to play golf at a high level. 

IFPGT:  Who’s the best golfer you’ve ever met or played with?

Monson:  Russ Cochran of the Champions Tour, I played with him last year at Fuzzy Zoeller’s Wolf Challenge.   

IFPGT:  What made you choose University of Indianapolis?

Monson:  I looked at a lot of schools, but I eventually talked to Coach Nicoson, and he’s just one of those guys that are very competitive.  I like that in a coach.  I didn’t want to go to a program where the coach didn’t take it serious.  When I went to U of I, I saw players like Justin Hueber and Seth Fair that may have been just as good if not better than some of the Div 1 players in the state but chose to go to a Div 2 school.  And it’s been great so far.  Our schedule is just as good as most programs.  We travel to Florida, Puerto Rico; we’re going to California next year.  We play against some top competition, and it’s nice being so close to where I went to high school. 

IFPGT:  How does it feel to be a part of this movement of great talented players to play at U of I?

Monson:  It’s been pretty cool to be honest.  The guys on my team and the players before me like Seth Fair, Justin Hueber, and Chris Clemens, have put a flashlight on U of I.  Our tournament play has boosted U of I to a place I think only our coach thought we could make.  The school is growing, and it’s been really nice to be a part of and assist in that growing. 

IFPGT:  Best part of being a greyhound?

Monson:  One thing that is great about U of I is you have an opportunity to play four years of golf.  There are a lot of programs with a lot of great players, and you might not get to play more than two years out of four.  I think coach makes a great effort so everyone has a chance and opportunity to play all four years.  And being so close to home and my family and friends, it’s been an easy transition to go to U of I and that’s been a huge blessing for me.

IFPGT:  What else makes Coach Nicoson such a great coach?

Monson:  His enthusiasm and his competitiveness carry over to us.  He’s a great leader in the philosophy that it’s great to win an individual tournament or championship, but it’s much more rewarding to win a team tournament or championship.  He’s instilled in all of us that you pull for each other.  It’s an individual sport but at the end of the day it’s a team competition.  What he’s preached to us has caught on, and I think for the most part, it’s shown out on the golf course. 

IFPGT:  How’s the team looking for next year?

Monson:  I think we’re going to be really solid next year.  Our limit is as far as we want to go.  The experience the freshman got this past year will only make them better and hopefully we’ll catch on a streak.  That’s the biggest thing in college golf, you may not be the best but if you happen to get hot anything can happen.  

IFPGT:  Looking back now, how does it feel to have won the State Open at 20 years old?

Monson:  It’s still mind blowing after a couple of years.  It was truly an unbelievable day.  I think it was a little bit of inexperience and not knowing the position I was in and the magnitude of that tournament and what it would do for me if I won.  Still two years later, it’s probably my biggest accomplishment.  I’m hoping to maybe get another one or get a bigger tournament here soon, because it was an unbelievable feeling.

IFPGT:  What was your mindset going into the final round?

Monson:  I read the newspaper that morning before I went to the golf course.  They were talking about Chris Baker and Erich Johnston and their two man battle for the title.  I was six shots back so who could blame them.  My mindset was I wanted to birdie two of the first three holes and just see where it goes from there.  I birdied one and I birdied three.  From there, it was one of those days you just keep going.  My mindset was I’m at four, let’s see if I can get another one, and another one.  It was a snowball effect.” 

IFPGT:  Did you miss a shot that day?

Monson:  I stepped up on the tee at the par 5 15^th and I was -7.  I got my first glimpse of the leaderboard and saw I was only one back of Baker and Johnston.  I hadn’t been on the leaderboard all day.  I snapped hooked my drive right into the trees and got an unbelievable break.  I got up there and my ball was a foot away from the tree but it was on the right side.  I had a full swing at it and ended up making birdie on the hole.  Besides that I hit it down the fairway, plotted my way around the course and hit six great wedge shots and made a couple good putts and there was 63 (-9.)  I could go out there with the same flags and probably couldn’t shoot 63 again, but with the right day, the right swing and the right luck, anything can happen.

IFPGT:  You still hold the IFPGT 36 hole Tour Championship record, how does that feel?

Monson:  That’s funny, I didn’t even know I still had that.  That’s pretty cool.  Anytime you can hold a record of any kind it’s pretty awesome.

IFPGT:  You have the school record as well at U of I.  What’s your secret to being able to shoot so low?

Monson:  I think it’s just when you start getting that feeling, you just can’t be afraid of it.  I couldn’t tell you what I was thinking about that day I shot that 63.  When I got done, I looked at my caddie and said, “I don’t even know what I was thinking about all day.”  It would be nice to go brain dead all day and just golf, but when you start making birdies you just can’t be afraid to go low.  I think the more you do it the easier it is to be comfortable with that situation.

IFPGT:  You came close to winning the high school state title, any advice on what it takes to win state?

Monson:  When I was a senior and almost won, I lost to Chase Wright and Corey Ziedonis who both ended up IU golfers.  I don’t think the state title is the hardest part.  I think like any big tournament, just getting there is the hardest thing.  I made it there my freshman year, and then my sophomore and junior year I didn’t even come close.  It took me three more years to get back.  For the kids that do get to State, just enjoy it.  Make a commitment to make it to state, and have fun.  It’s just another big tournament.  You just have to relish the moment and have a good time.

IFPGT:  What about the fall prep tour helped you as a junior golfer? 

Monson:  It was the first set of tournaments where I started seriously trying to play golf.  It was the first time I got the jitters for golf tournaments.  Playing the fall prep tour gave me the opportunity to have competition outside of just playing high school golf.  If you want to go up against some of the better kids in the state and see how good you are, then I think it’s a great opportunity. 

IFPGT:  If you could go back to your fall prep tour days and give yourself any advice, what would it be?

Monson:  Practice more.

IFPGT:  Would you say it helped prepare you for your days at U of I?

Monson:  Yeah, definitely.  In college you play a ton of tournaments in the fall.  Having the opportunity to play all fall with the fall prep tour, it got me prepared and opened my eyes to know and see what I’d be doing at the next level if I wanted to go to college and play golf.

IFPGT:  What would you say was your favorite part of the fall prep tour?

Monson:  We got to play some good courses.  There was always a good field, and tons of kids playing.  It was always run well and set up very well.  Tee times were always on time and all the courses had practice range facilities.  Every site provided a great challenge.

IFPGT:  Any last bit of advice to the IFPGT Class of 2011?

Monson:  Just have fun.  And if you get fortunate enough to win, remember it and always cherish winning a golf tournament, because you don’t know when the next one is going to come along or if there is going to be a next one that comes along.  Just have fun out there and compete and do your best.                           

Check back often as we add more interviews from former IFPGT alumni golfers! -J.L.






IFPGT Alumni Interview Series #2: Eric Steger



























                                                           (Photo Courtesy of Ball State Sports)

     Taking the next step in any sport is an exciting time for an athlete.  And Eric Steger is excited about the opportunity that awaits him this fall.  The former Ball State Cardinal golfer just graduated from school and soon will be taking his game to a new level by turning professional.  He’s achieved much since carrying a Noblesville Miller golf bag.  Steger’s golf resume includes an Indiana State Amateur title, qualifying for five USGA Championships, and two IGA John K. David Player of the Year Awards.  He was team captain for two years at Ball State and was selected to advance as an individual to the 2011 NCAA Regional at Wolf Run G.C.  It seems like a lifetime of achievements, but he’s just getting started.  Steger’s summer is already off to a great start picking up a win at the E-Z-GO Indianapolis Open at Brickyard Crossing G.C. 

     We caught up with Eric after a long day of practice and preparation at Purgatory G.C.  Eric played on the IFPGT in ’03,’04, and ’05.  Steger was thankful for the opportunity to give back to the IFPGT and give us the insightful interview you are about to read. 

The following interview was conducted in May 2011.  The entire interview was transcribed by the IFPGT and edited by the IFPGT and Eric Steger.  –J.L.              

IFPGT:  What are you up to now?

Steger:  I graduated about two weeks ago.  I’m going to be practicing and playing golf while also working for my dad over the summer.  I have a pretty decent tournament schedule lined up including the Southern Amateur, the Southeastern Amateur, the Public Links Qualifier, State Am, State Open.  I’m turning professional around August or September, and I’m going to do Q-School in the fall. 

IFPGT:  How’s your golf game?

Steger:  It’s good.  I’m hitting it well.  Lately, I’ve had a little bit of trouble scoring.  During the school year you try to get better but with juggling all the school work and meetings, it’s really tough.  Summer is my time where I can go practice all day, every day, which is what I need.  I played well last week at the Indy Open and won, but I definitely have some work to do.  I like the direction I’m heading. 

IFPGT:  Would you say you are working on just scoring better or is there a specific part you are focusing on?

Steger:  I’m working a lot on my short game.  The past couple of summers I would just spend hours on the range and hit balls.  As I’ve grown up and played with better players and watched better amateurs and pros make more putts than me I’ve realized that’s a big part of the game.  I’m just working on my short game and trying to be more consistent. 

IFPGT:  What’s the best golf tip anyone ever gave you?

Steger:  It would have to do with behavior and letting shots go.  Growing up, I didn’t have very good behavior on the course, and I wasn’t very strong mentally.  If I made a bad swing or had a bad hole, I would let it affect me for not only the next shot, but maybe it would take me a couple of holes to get over it.  As I’ve matured and talked to more players, I’ve realized that only hurts you.  You just gotta let that bad shot go, because the only thing you can do is hit a good one on the next one to make up for it.  I think that’s probably helped me the most in the past couple years.  Accepting my bad shots for what they are and focusing on the next one. 

IFPGT:  Who’s the best golfer you’ve met or played with?

Steger:  One of the best I’ve ever played with is Scott Langley (University of Illinois golf team and 2010 NCAA Div. 1 Individual Champion.)  I played with Scott last fall at the first tournament of the year at Wolf Run G.C.  It was the final round.  Playing with Scott was really fun.  He’s a really really nice guy.  It was cool, because he was coming off winning the NCAA.  And what made it even more cool for me was that I actually beat him for the round and for the tournament by a shot. 

IFPGT:  What has been the most meaningful and memorable moment for you in your golf career?

Steger:  One of my bigger moments was qualifying for my first U.S. Amateur at Southern Hills two years ago.  Going out there I didn’t know what to expect.  Deep down I knew that the best amateurs in the world aren’t much better than me, but I hadn’t really proven it to myself yet.  I went out there and out of 312 guys I qualified ninth for match play.  It was a memorable experience to finally prove to myself that I could play with these guys. 

Another moment would be that I finally got my first college golf tournament win this year.  It’s always been my goal.  I’ve blown it away before and missed it by one, and I’ve finished second several times.  And I finally got it this year.  It was at our home event at Delaware.  My mom and dad and friends were all there too.  Which made it that much more special. 

IFPGT:  You’ve qualified for five USGA Championships.  Any advice for juniors trying to qualify for such a big event?

Steger:  I think a lot of it is just confidence and knowing that you belong.  And being confident that on your average days you can go out there and still compete.  I try to minimize my mistakes and just let it happen.  I think staying patient is a big part of it too.  A lot of kids get so worked up about ‘oh my gosh, it’s the U.S. Am qualifier.  I gotta try really hard on this.’  Just go out there and trust that it’s going to come around whether you make your first birdie on the first hole or the tenth hole.  Go out there and be patient and accept what’s coming.  That’s how I approach it, and so far it’s worked out.

IFPGT:  What was the best thing about college golf?

Steger:  The best thing about college golf for me was probably the trips.  In high school the trips are fun, but with college golf you’re gone for three or four days at a time.  You’ll miss classes on a Thursday and Friday and get back on Sunday.  Every tournament you play 54 holes, 72 holes including a practice round.  You stay in hotels with your team and having fun joking around with the guys and really bonding.  You’re making some of the best friends you know you will have forever.  The times in the van, and the conversations that will never come up anywhere else.  For that reason, and because the competition out there is just so awesome.  If I could take another year of college golf, I probably would. 

IFPGT:  What makes coach Fleck such a great coach to play for?

Steger:  Coach Fleck really cares about the kids he recruits and Ball State golf in general.  He really wants us to succeed.  Coach wants the program to do good and grow, and it shows with all of the stuff he does for us.  He makes it fun to be around everybody.  College golf in general is an awesome experience due in large part to him.

IFPGT:  If you could go back to your Indy Fall Prep Golf Tour days and give yourself any advice, what would it be?

Steger:  I would first off, tell myself to cool it a little bit on the golf course and have more fun.  It’s hard to do or say at that age.  You just gotta have fun and whatever happens, happens.  There’s always going to be tomorrow.  Don’t put so much effort and focus into one round.  If you play well great, carry on to the next one, if not throw it away.  You’re going to play well soon enough.  I think a lot of kids put too much pressure on themselves to play well and that doesn’t help.  I’d also tell myself to work harder on the putting green.  In the end all your work is going to get done on the greens.  I’d probably take half the time that I did on the driving range when I was that age and spend it on the putting green. 

IFPGT:  What about the IFPGT helped you as a junior golfer?

Steger:  I think just the fact that you keep on playing.  A lot of kids will play in their stuff in the summer and not play in any tournaments in the fall.  It’s been six months since they’ve played in any tournaments by the start of the spring season.  In the IFPGT we played all the way up until the end of October.  That’s a good extra two or three months.  That’s almost cutting that time in half of having no tournaments to play.  Every competitive round you can learn something and get better and better.  I think kids are definitely benefitting themselves by playing in that stuff rather than just going home and practicing leisurely. 

IFPGT:  Do you feel it better prepared you for your days at Ball State?

Steger:  Yes, because in every tournament you learn something.  You learn a little bit about yourself and a little bit of how to score, and what it’s like making good numbers and bad numbers.  If you don’t play in that stuff, you’re missing out.  I don’t remember any other tournaments that were even going on in the fall.

IFPGT:  What did you like most about the IFPGT?

Steger:  Just the different golf courses.  I remember one in general was at the Trophy Club.  The courses we played were all good tough golf courses.  Probably as tough or tougher than you will play in high school.  I think just playing that kind of stuff more all the time helps you out.

IFPGT: Do you have any other advice you’d like to give the IFPGT Class of 2011?

Steger:  You can never practice too much on the putting green.  That’s one thing I regret now as I see the best players in the world and play with them.  They are pretty darn good with their short games.  I would tell kids that the earlier they can learn to accept their shots the better off they will be and the more it will help.  It took me until sophomore year of college until I started to see the benefits of fully and mentally letting go and accepting the shots.  I’d probably tell them to try it for one day.  Go out there and if you hit a great shot, that’s awesome, do it again.  But if you hit one in the water or hit it out of bounds just laugh it off and hit another one and see the results.  And see how many more good shots you’ll hit after that.  That’s what the tour pros are so good at.  They’ll hit one out of bounds, and mentally they’re over it and ready to go on the next one.  I think that really is such an important part of golf.

IFPGT:  When you make it on tour, will you come back and do a clinic for us?