Student Spotlight: Andrew Havill
2/27/2017 9:34:00 AM | General, Men's Golf, Student-Athlete Services
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Andrew Havill found his footing on the golf course, but it didn't come easily.
He was the most valuable player on his high school team in Carmel, Indiana. He ranked sixth in the state amongst his graduating class and all-conference in his last two years. And when it came time to choose where to play college golf, Indiana was a clear choice. Havill had high regards for head coach Mike Mayer, he grew up an IU fan, and the incoming class included his lifelong friends, Will Sager and Keegan Vea.
The situation was perfect in Havill's eyes. He and his friends would run their careers in tandem and push each other to their goals.
But with Havill's first season came a few hard lessons. He didn't get on the course as much as he hoped, playing just seven stroke play tournaments with a high finish of seventh place. Beyond that, the demands of being a college student caught up to Havill in his freshman year.
"It was extremely tough for me," Havill said. "Coming into college with schoolwork, traveling all over the country playing in tournaments, and missing class, I really struggled to balance that lifestyle in my first couple of semesters in college."
The struggles on the course helped Havill notice the issues at hand. He immediately went to work, seeking guidance from upperclassmen, his academic advisors and anyone who would offer a word of wisdom.
By his sophomore season, Havill found the balance of living as a college student and a golfer. As he matured and continued to hone his game, the results began to turn in his favor as well.
"I feel like the part of my game that has improved the most since my freshman year is my mental approach. and the way I handle myself in situations has dropped my scores significantly," said Havill. "Being able to manage my outside life and continuing to mature allowed me to focus my efforts on golf and the mentality of being a student at IU."
Indiana's athletic department brought in a motivational speaker at the start of Havill's junior year. He had the students write their short- and long-term goals on a note card so they could visualize their objectives. One of the notes on Havill's card stated that, after playing just 13 tournaments in two seasons, he did not want to miss out on another competition.
"I hated having to stay back and miss competitions more than anything, but I haven't missed a tournament since then," Havill said. "I put that list in my wallet and look at it from time to time, and I have other goals on there that I'm looking to achieve, but it's been great to be able to add to the team for the last two years."
Havill's breakout junior season last year included making every tournament with the team. He dropped his average by two strokes from his freshman season, earned a high finish of T-6th at the Hoosier Invitational, and received his first Academic All-Big Ten honor.
As he continues his senior season, Havill and his fellow upperclassmen take on another duty. They share the task of bringing the younger players up to speed, both in their play and with teaching them how to balance the rigorous travel schedule of a college golfer.
After the career-changing assistance Havill received in his first couple of years, it's a favor he's more than willing to return.
"I feel like I've tried to take that responsibility as seriously as I can these last two seasons, especially with the underclassmen," said Havill. "Not only by talking to them and showing them what I've learned from my mistakes, but doing the right thing and putting the extra time in outside of practice. I try to set the right example for the underclassmen and those coming to Indiana in the future."
The note card is burning in Havill's wallet. While he hasn't missed a tournament since he set that goal, a few objectives hang in the balance of the rest of his final season. Personally, Havill is focused on winning a Big Ten Championship. He is equally, if not more excited about the opportunity of achieving a goal he and the seniors have for the Hoosiers as a team.
"In my years here, we have yet to make the postseason. But we're in a position where if we have a pretty good spring, we'll get the postseason bid," said Havill. "That's a huge goal for our team, and I feel like we have the group to do that. I'm excited for the opportunity to do that, to be able to compete at the highest level with the guys I've been golfing with for four years."
He was the most valuable player on his high school team in Carmel, Indiana. He ranked sixth in the state amongst his graduating class and all-conference in his last two years. And when it came time to choose where to play college golf, Indiana was a clear choice. Havill had high regards for head coach Mike Mayer, he grew up an IU fan, and the incoming class included his lifelong friends, Will Sager and Keegan Vea.
The situation was perfect in Havill's eyes. He and his friends would run their careers in tandem and push each other to their goals.
But with Havill's first season came a few hard lessons. He didn't get on the course as much as he hoped, playing just seven stroke play tournaments with a high finish of seventh place. Beyond that, the demands of being a college student caught up to Havill in his freshman year.
"It was extremely tough for me," Havill said. "Coming into college with schoolwork, traveling all over the country playing in tournaments, and missing class, I really struggled to balance that lifestyle in my first couple of semesters in college."
The struggles on the course helped Havill notice the issues at hand. He immediately went to work, seeking guidance from upperclassmen, his academic advisors and anyone who would offer a word of wisdom.
By his sophomore season, Havill found the balance of living as a college student and a golfer. As he matured and continued to hone his game, the results began to turn in his favor as well.
"I feel like the part of my game that has improved the most since my freshman year is my mental approach. and the way I handle myself in situations has dropped my scores significantly," said Havill. "Being able to manage my outside life and continuing to mature allowed me to focus my efforts on golf and the mentality of being a student at IU."
Indiana's athletic department brought in a motivational speaker at the start of Havill's junior year. He had the students write their short- and long-term goals on a note card so they could visualize their objectives. One of the notes on Havill's card stated that, after playing just 13 tournaments in two seasons, he did not want to miss out on another competition.
"I hated having to stay back and miss competitions more than anything, but I haven't missed a tournament since then," Havill said. "I put that list in my wallet and look at it from time to time, and I have other goals on there that I'm looking to achieve, but it's been great to be able to add to the team for the last two years."
Havill's breakout junior season last year included making every tournament with the team. He dropped his average by two strokes from his freshman season, earned a high finish of T-6th at the Hoosier Invitational, and received his first Academic All-Big Ten honor.
As he continues his senior season, Havill and his fellow upperclassmen take on another duty. They share the task of bringing the younger players up to speed, both in their play and with teaching them how to balance the rigorous travel schedule of a college golfer.
After the career-changing assistance Havill received in his first couple of years, it's a favor he's more than willing to return.
"I feel like I've tried to take that responsibility as seriously as I can these last two seasons, especially with the underclassmen," said Havill. "Not only by talking to them and showing them what I've learned from my mistakes, but doing the right thing and putting the extra time in outside of practice. I try to set the right example for the underclassmen and those coming to Indiana in the future."
The note card is burning in Havill's wallet. While he hasn't missed a tournament since he set that goal, a few objectives hang in the balance of the rest of his final season. Personally, Havill is focused on winning a Big Ten Championship. He is equally, if not more excited about the opportunity of achieving a goal he and the seniors have for the Hoosiers as a team.
"In my years here, we have yet to make the postseason. But we're in a position where if we have a pretty good spring, we'll get the postseason bid," said Havill. "That's a huge goal for our team, and I feel like we have the group to do that. I'm excited for the opportunity to do that, to be able to compete at the highest level with the guys I've been golfing with for four years."
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
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