Sports

Golf Captain Harmeling ’07 Swings Strong

This spring season, Captain Evan Harmeling ‘07 hopes to lead the Andover Golf team to yet another successful year. Last season, Harmeling helped the team earn several key victories, including its success in capturing the Lovell Cup and Witherspoon Trophy, in which Harmeling posted an outstanding score of 77. Harmeling, a dominant force on Andover’s Golf Team since his freshman year, has shown opponents how serious he is about the game. With his teammates, however, Harmeling enjoys joking around and just having fun out on the golf course. “I hope that I bring a sense of humor and enjoyment to the team,” Harmeling commented. “One of my main goals for the team this season is to have some fun, as well as teaching some of the newer kids the game of golf.” Fellow teammate Nicholas Koh ‘08 described Harmeling’s wit and bright outlook when faced with grim situations: “When I was playing with Evan against Proctor last year, he hit a bad shot on a par three that landed off the green. He looked at me before I was about to hit and just told me to ‘knock it close, big guy, this is the only time you’re going to outdo me.’ I thought it was really funny and cocky of him. This is true leadership.” Inspired by casually golfing with his dad and brother at the age of twelve, Harmeling decided to pursue a more serious golfing career. Now, at age 18, Harmeling is proud to look back on his phenomenal and extremely successful golfing achievements. The winner of the Christopher Cutler Rich MGA Junior Player of Year Award in 2005, Harmeling has previously been honored by the Boston Globe for his decisive triumphs at the 2005 World Series of Junior Golf Tournament and the Massachusetts State Junior Championship. Looking at these accomplishments, it is obvious that Harmeling is a very strong competitor in the Junior Golf world. Harmeling is also excited to continue his promising golfing career with the Princeton Tigers next year. This upcoming season, the Princeton Golf Team, which has claimed six out of the last seven Ivy League Championship Titles, will travel to places such as Virginia, California, Arizona and New York to play several other highly-ranked Division I colleges and Universities. Princeton looks to continue its dominating success next year with its incoming and highly gifted freshman class, including the talented Harmeling. As for the Andover Golf Team, many players are thrilled to be playing with Harmeling for another season. Fellow Andover Golf Team member Kristen MacDonald ‘07 described Harmeling’s play, saying, “I have been on the team with Evan since freshman year. From the beginning, he fit right in with everyone.” She continued, “He is a very consistent and confident player. Whenever he has a tough match and his opponent jumps ahead early, Evan always manages to stay in a position where he can come back and win in the last few holes. His teammates always play better when they are around him because of the way he carries himself.” Koh ‘08 also commented, “Evan’s greatest qualities as our captain are his abilities to lead through example and to provide clear goals. When he promises something, he gets the job done. He also earns my respect with his excellence under pressure.” Tanner McNeil ’08 said, “Harmeling will go far. Not only will golf take him places, but he will be able to use his skills far beyond his collegiate career. He’s been a great leader and a great teammate. It’s been a privilege to play on the team with him these past two years.” Looking back at his past successes and achievements, as well as his teammates praising comments, Harmeling demonstrates that he is ready to provide the Andover Golf team with some inspirational leadership and commitment. Even with Spring Term upon us, Harmeling remains dedicatedly focused on his upcoming senior season. Harmeling enthusiastically describes his aspirations, “Basically, I don’t want to lose. This team has the potential of going undefeated, and that’s exactly what we plan on doing.” Harmeling and the Andover Golf Team look to start the 2007 season off with a strong win against Tabor on Saturday, praying for sunny weather to dry the course in time. In addition to the depth of the roster, Harmeling will lead Andover Golf to a season of success this spring.