It really isn’t a secret how Lisbon senior Tyler Sauser has improved his golf score from his junior to senior season. He played golf. A lot of golf.
“I was coming to the course two times a day,” Sauser said during a recent meet at Kernoustie Golf Course. “I was out here about every day in the summer.
“I also went to the Ozarks for a week. And I worked on a golf simulator.”
The senior is leading the Lions and averaging 40.03 strokes per round. As a junior, he averaged 44.99 strokes.
“He’s out golfing every single day,” Lisbon boys’ coach Dylan Hastings said. “In the summer, he’s out golfing. That’s what it takes to be as good as he is. “That’s a testament to him putting in the time. That’s the thing with the game of golf. If you want to be good at it, you’ve got to learn how to work at it.”
On Tuesday, April 29, Sauser carded a 2-over 37 to earn medalist in a dual against East Buchanan at Kernoustie.
The Lions won the dual, 171 to 185. The day before, Lisbon beat Midland 167 to 194 at Kernoustie. Sauser and senior Evan Coleman tied for medalist with 39.
On Wednesday, April 30, Lisbon won the four-team Maquoketa Invitational at the Maquoketa Country Club. Sauser was the meet medalist with a 75.
The Lions closed the week with a win over Edgewood-Colesburg on Friday, May 2, at Woods Edge Golf Course in Edgewood, 171 to 194. Sauser led with a 39. Lisbon keeps winning not only because Sauser keeps shooting well, but because he’s helping the younger Lions shoot well.
“He’s a leader out there on the course,” Hastings said. “He does a great job with the younger guys. Helping clean up some of their mechanical things. “And it is just his knowledge because he has golfed just about every course around here that we’re going to golf. “ And the big tournaments are coming up. Conference, districts, and beyond?
“We could (advance to state),” Sauser said. “We just have to have one good round. That’s all it takes. “
Sauser said his biggest improvement from junior to senior year has been his driver. Without any weight room work, Sauser gained 20 to 30 yards. “It is all about the swing,” Sauser said.
Hastings likes another aspect of his game.
“His attitude,” Hastings said. “You’ll never see him be frustrated or flustered. If he makes a bad shot he knows to flush it and move on.
“I’ve never seen anybody in the game of golf that gets frustrated and shoots better.”