MONROE - Two Monroe graduates who know what it's like to rise to the pinnacle of prep golf and how unpredictable the sport can be are preparing for a big stage.
Nick Krattiger and Brent Quade are primed for the state amateur golf tournament July 21-24 at the Old Hickory Golf Course and Country Club in Beaver Dam.
Krattiger, a 2005 Monroe graduate, shot a 1-under-par 71 in June at the Yahara Hills Golf Course in Madison to qualify for his second state amateur tournament.
"It's something I really expected," Krattiger said. "I was really upset missing it last year. My game is really on right now. It's just a matter of putting four solid days together. That is what is holding me back now. If I can do that, I have a shot at contending."
Quade, a 2007 Monroe graduate, is ready for his first state amateur event, but he's no stranger to big golf tournaments.
Quade, a 2006 WIAA Division 2 state champion who golfs at the University of Northern Iowa, wants to play his best and believes he can be a factor. He's not ruling out challenging for the leaderboard with the state's top amateur golfers.
"You don't have to limit yourself," Quade said. "If you play well, you should think you should be in the top five or 10. Otherwise, why go and play?"
Quade qualified in June for the state amateur tournament after shooting a 73 at the Yahara Hills Golf Course. He and Krattiger were two of the 29 state qualifiers from Yahara Hills out of the 100 who golfed in that district.
Krattiger, who golfed three years at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, moved to Phoenix to attend the San Diego Golf Academy and to pursue his love for golf. Krattiger golfed and practiced every day this winter in Arizona.
"I wanted to follow my dream of playing golf professionally," Krattiger said. "I'm getting closer to my goal of turning pro. You can't really have a job when you are trying to go pro."
Quade cherishes his first time qualifying for the state amateur tournament.
He said he will get to compete against the best golfers in Wisconsin.
Quade was redshirted in his freshman season at the University of Northern Iowa, which had four senior golfers and 12 other candidates competing for two or three spots.
"It's hard to be optimistic when there are that many," Quade said. "You hope to think it makes you tougher. I think it's taught me if I want to play well, I have to be more even keel."
Quade said the most challenging aspect of golf is the mental game.
Keeping emotions in check can define golfers.
Quade said the key will be to stay relaxed and play within himself.
It's important not to start thinking you are out of it, he said.
Hands are important to every golfer and Quade is no different.
"My hands can't be dirty when I play golf," he said. "They have to be clean. That may be a little more obsessive compulsion than superstition."
Quade has played the Old Hickory Golf Course and Country Club before in tournaments.
"It's intimidating," he said. "They have a lot of tight holes. Accuracy is more of a premium than distance. The premium is on accuracy and iron play."
Nick Krattiger and Brent Quade are primed for the state amateur golf tournament July 21-24 at the Old Hickory Golf Course and Country Club in Beaver Dam.
Krattiger, a 2005 Monroe graduate, shot a 1-under-par 71 in June at the Yahara Hills Golf Course in Madison to qualify for his second state amateur tournament.
"It's something I really expected," Krattiger said. "I was really upset missing it last year. My game is really on right now. It's just a matter of putting four solid days together. That is what is holding me back now. If I can do that, I have a shot at contending."
Quade, a 2007 Monroe graduate, is ready for his first state amateur event, but he's no stranger to big golf tournaments.
Quade, a 2006 WIAA Division 2 state champion who golfs at the University of Northern Iowa, wants to play his best and believes he can be a factor. He's not ruling out challenging for the leaderboard with the state's top amateur golfers.
"You don't have to limit yourself," Quade said. "If you play well, you should think you should be in the top five or 10. Otherwise, why go and play?"
Quade qualified in June for the state amateur tournament after shooting a 73 at the Yahara Hills Golf Course. He and Krattiger were two of the 29 state qualifiers from Yahara Hills out of the 100 who golfed in that district.
Krattiger, who golfed three years at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, moved to Phoenix to attend the San Diego Golf Academy and to pursue his love for golf. Krattiger golfed and practiced every day this winter in Arizona.
"I wanted to follow my dream of playing golf professionally," Krattiger said. "I'm getting closer to my goal of turning pro. You can't really have a job when you are trying to go pro."
Quade cherishes his first time qualifying for the state amateur tournament.
He said he will get to compete against the best golfers in Wisconsin.
Quade was redshirted in his freshman season at the University of Northern Iowa, which had four senior golfers and 12 other candidates competing for two or three spots.
"It's hard to be optimistic when there are that many," Quade said. "You hope to think it makes you tougher. I think it's taught me if I want to play well, I have to be more even keel."
Quade said the most challenging aspect of golf is the mental game.
Keeping emotions in check can define golfers.
Quade said the key will be to stay relaxed and play within himself.
It's important not to start thinking you are out of it, he said.
Hands are important to every golfer and Quade is no different.
"My hands can't be dirty when I play golf," he said. "They have to be clean. That may be a little more obsessive compulsion than superstition."
Quade has played the Old Hickory Golf Course and Country Club before in tournaments.
"It's intimidating," he said. "They have a lot of tight holes. Accuracy is more of a premium than distance. The premium is on accuracy and iron play."
