Many great athletes have stories that begin with a simple moment, and for Drake Kanuch, it started with a swing. “The way I got started playing golf is I would go out with dad either to the range or the golf course and he would just give me a club and I just started swinging it and I think that’s what kinda started off my journey,” said the Ada High School golfer.
It didn’t take long for that simple swing to turn into a passion. “I think what inspired me is just going out to the course with my dad and all the people he played with. I think I just wanted to play with them and keep up with them,” Kanuchsaid.
Now a leader on the Ada High School golf team, Kanuch believes his team is on the rise. “I think the team’s chemistry is really good this year because we have a lot of young guys and we have a really good chance to get to the state tournament, and at the end of the day that’s the goal.”
Kanuch takes his leadership role seriously, especially when it comes to helping his teammates. “I think my role in the team is just being the leader. I know some of the guys have to look up to someone and I feel like I am that person,” he said.
One milestone stands out as a turning point in his journey. “I think the most challenging thing was when I was about 14 years old, I was always looking for that even par score and I was right on the edge of that,” Kanuch said. “And I think right before I turned 15, I finally hit that score and all the work and practice paid off for that moment.”
His personal goals are set high after a strong showing last season. “The goal for this season is to make it to state of course and then win the state tournament,” he said. “Last year was a good taste of it—I got 4th as a freshman—so now I think I know what I have to bring to the table to win it.”
