Teeing off from the first hole at Springdale golf course. Driving the ball consistently 300 yards down the fairway. Scoring in the 30s on a normal day after nine holes. This is the golf game that junior JC Wilhelm brings to every match.
JC Wilhelm first picked up a set of golf clubs at the age of three years old, so he has been golfing for 14 years. Wilhelm has multiple accomplishments throughout his 14 years of golfing.
A win at the junior golf championship at DGC, multiple medals at high school tournaments, and a win at the Meijer tournament this summer are many of Wilhelm’s achievements throughout his golf career.
“It feels pretty good to be the best,” Wilhelm said. “I like to be the best.”
Many of JC’s Seaholm teammates feel the same way about his marvelous golf game. Junior Jeff Page believes Wilhelm’s game pushes him to become a better player.
“JC is a great golfer that brings a sense of competition to the game,” Page said. “His great game makes me want to play better.”
Juniors Jake Drutchas and Alec Nathan are so amazed by his game, they believe that he has the potential to become one of the best in the long run.
“I see JC Wilhelm as a mixture of baby Jesus, Tiger Woods, and Phil Mickleson,” Drutchas said. “He is the final product of a quality golf program.”
“I think there’s a 70% chance for him to be the next Tiger Woods,” Nathan said.
Wilhelm is being pushed constantly by varsity head coach Leon Braisted because he sees a bright future for Wilhelm’s golf game.
“He believes there’s still much improvement for me,” Wilhelm said. “He sees the potential in me.”
Not only does Wilhelm bring his strong game to the table, his leadership qualities really make the Seaholm golf program better. Nathan believes the attitude he brings to the game creates a positive atmosphere.
“He brings a positive energy that makes everyone strive to become a better player,” Nathan said.
Druthchas also sees his sense of humor being a key role into the team’s success.
“He has amazing leadership abilities,” Drutchas said. “He also brings a good personality with a sense of humor to the course.”
Wilhelm’s favorite parts of the game of golf are the desire to win and to drive the ball as far as possible. These two things motivate Wilhelm to bring his “A” game to the golf course every day.
“The feeling of winning and being able to hit the ball further than everyone else is exhilarating,” Wilhelm said.
This summer JC plans on playing in the Michigan Junior Amateur and many other national tournaments to better his golf game. He has received a letter from Air Force showing much interest, so his goal of playing Division one golf seems very bright.
Nathan not only sees a college golf career, he also sees a green jacket in Wilhelm’s future.
“He’ll be wearing that green jacket,” Nathan said. “I’ll be watching and there will be JC Wilhelm with a one shot lead on the 18th hole at Augusta.”
