Clarkston High School golfer Bill Haun had a solid senior season to lead the Wolves to their first league title since 1994. Considering what happened in the off-season, it was a miracle Haun was swinging a golf club at all.
Haun also participates in weight lifting and last season had an accident at a competition at Brandon High School. While attempting to squat 365 pounds, Haun lifted the weight off the rack and lost his balance. Haun fell backwards and smashed his left hand’s middle finger on the bar.
“I smashed the finger completely off. They sewed it back on but it really doesn’t work very well,” Haun said.
While Haun did a lot of rehabilitation to the finger, he said it didn’t help out that much and is of little use.
“I was hoping I could still play golf and that it would not effect me that much,” Haun said. “It just made me concentrate a lot on the other things about my game.”
CHS golf coach Tim Kaul was not sure Haun would make it back.
“When I first heard about the injury I did not know if he was going to be able to play. Obviously a golfer’s grip is one of the key elements in the swing process,” Kaul said.
Haun made an impressive comeback and was ready for the team’s first match against Rochester. Not only did he play, but Haun helped his team capture a victory by shooting a 36.
“It was one of the highlights of the season, that first match,” Haun said.
Haun was consistent throughout the season. Other high points were the season were the Wolves’ first league match at Bald Mountain where Haun shot a 73 to take fourth place overall, and a 39 he shot against Rochester Adams which led everybody.
“I think I had a solid season. I have only played golf for four years and have really improved a lot,” Haun said. “It was fun and I feel I had a good season.”
Even more satisfying to Haun, was the performance of the team at large. While the squad did not know what to expect coming into the season, they ended up having the most successful golf season Clarkston has seen in awhile.
In addition to capturing the Oakland Activities Association league title with a 6-0 record, the team finished first in the preseason OAA Division I meet, second in the postseason meet and second (out of 17 teams) in the Hartford Invitational. Overall the team was 7-1.
“We had one of the better teams the school has had in a long time,” Haun said. “We didn’t really know what to expect because we had a lot of young players. But they all really stepped up and played well this year. We should have a good team for awhile.”
Kaul was pleased with the season the team had.
“Haun was a key reason we were able to take first in the league,” Kaul said.