The world of college sports is composed of a specific demographic of people: hyper-competitive, driven and committed beyond measure. Starting from as early as infancy for many, these athletes are involved in years of lessons, practices, and competitions, and often grow up surrounded by their sport. As such, athletes are molded from a young age to achieve a certain level of play, which for many, is at the college level.
While this path is common for almost all college athletes, Connor Huth, a senior on the Ursinus men’s golf team, had an unorthodox road to reaching the green. Huth played a variety of sports throughout his childhood, and in high school, he was a notable member of its football and soccer teams in his hometown of Allentown, NJ. It was not until Huth’s senior year of high school when he picked up golf. As a beginner, Huth’s on-course experience was limited to leisure, not competition, as he would play casually with friends and family.
This all changed in the fall when Huth decided to try out for the golf team as a senior walk-on. Huth had tried once before, and it hadn’t worked out, but attended this year’s first practice, which was held by captain T.J. Stanton. Huth shined at the practice, proving to Stanton and the team that he was worthy of a position. “Connor looked like a natural out there, and I knew that he
was someone who could help the team during the season,” said Stanton, who later convinced newly hired Head Coach Matt Reed to grant Huth a position. At the first practice under Reed’s guidance, Reed noticed Huth’s skillset, which prompted him to bring Huth onto the team.
Throughout his college career, Huth never imagined the reality of being a student-athlete. In fact, joining the men’s golf team was just as surprising to him as it was to Reed and the team, since most have been involved in golf or other collegiate sports for several years. Despite his unconventional path to the men’s golf team, Huth’s debut proved his worth, earning a top 35 placement in Ursinus’ Fall Invitational. Huth’s impact continued, as he played an integral role in Ursinus finishing fifth at the Turtle Creek Intercollegiate. In addition to his talent on the course, Huth is perceived as a positive presence on the team, as described by junior Michael Nikolaou: “Connor is a great leader and personality on the team. He quickly became friends with everyone, and he is a role model for us.”
Despite Huth’s atypical approach to entering the world of college sports, he ultimately discovered a deepened passion for golf at the collegiate level and quickly realized that it is never too late to follow your heart. As such, he remains an important piece of Ursinus’ golf team and will be remembered for making an impact, even in his one season on the team.
Will Oberholtzer wioberholtzer@ursinus.edu