Please give to The Capital Times Kids Fund.

Learn how the annual fund drive helps our community.

CT boys golf athlete of the year: Mike Battista, Madison West

Rob Schultz  —  6/30/2008 4:00 pm

Mike Battista was no different than all the other high school seniors who were counting the days until graduation a few weeks ago.

What separated Battista from everybody else was how he planned to celebrate.

Battista was having a so-so season with the Madison West golf team this spring when he decided he didn't want to end his high school career on a sour note. "I just got myself to play better," he said.

All Battista did was put together a dream conclusion to his prep golf career that included playing under par the entire WIAA postseason. He saved the best for last, earning medalist honors at the Division 1 state tourney at University Ridge with a 36-hole total of 4-under-par 140.

Battista said he made some significant changes about halfway through the spring golf season. First, he bought a new putter. Second, he changed to a backhanded putting grip. Then, he started making putts by the boatload.

"That elevated everything," said the personable Battista, who shot an even-par 72 at Pleasant View in the Middleton Regional and a 1-under 71 at the Meadows of Six Mile Creek in the Waunakee Sectional. "It changed my confidence. I felt like any (putt) under 20 feet was going in."

Battista also changed his attitude. He stopped worrying over every shot and started having fun. That was particularly important at the state tournament. His father pointed out to him that many of the best golfers in the field might feel pressure to play well because college coaches were watching their scores. Battista already had made plans to attend Coastal Carolina and felt no pressure at all.

"So I tried to have fun during my last two rounds of high school golf," he said.

Battista is planning to enroll in the professional golf management program at Coastal Carolina. Part of the business school at the university located near Myrtle Beach, S.C., the program includes earning a business degree as well as certification as a Class A PGA teaching professional. Battista said it takes 4 1/2 years and three summer internships to complete the program.

ALL-TIME WINNERS

2008 -- Mike Battista, Madison West
2007 -- Andrew Steinhofer, Madison La Follette
2006 -- Matt Krogstad, Madison Abundant Life
2005 -- Nick Engen, McFarland 
2004 -- Danny Zimmerman, Middleton
2003 -- Danny Zimmerman, Middleton

Rob Schultz  —  6/30/2008 4:00 pm