Madeleine Wisler ran cross-country her freshman year at Seymour High School, but she wanted to do something different her sophomore year.
“I realized that I enjoyed golf more than I enjoyed running,” she said. “I played golf with my dad (Ben) a lot. He’s the one that introduced me to golf.
Wisler wrapped up her career on the links this past Saturday at the Washington Regional.
Over the past three years Wisler has improved in all aspects of her game.
“Typically, my short game is what helps me out in rounds when I’m struggling with my long game,” Wisler said. “I’ve been focusing with my pitches which has really helped.
“My drives have improved a lot this year. They’re going a lot straighter, and typically I’ve been hitting them higher in the air then I did before. My putting has been good. That is definitely something I’ve been focusing my practices on this year.”
She said knowing pin placements is important.
“It helps you to decide if it’s better to be short or if it’s better to be long, if you can run it up to the green or if you need to land on the green for it to be good,” Wisler said. “Putting is something to feel out before a match on the practice green.”
Wisler said her favorite away course is Champions Point.
“I shot my lowest score (84) there, and I had my low nine round. I shot 38 on the back,” she said. “Our coach, Coach (Jim) Hoffman came up to me on the fourth hole and he was looking at my scorecard and said ‘is this you with all pars?’ I was just playing and I said ‘I guess so.’ Every single one of my putts went in and I guess I surprised myself how well I was playing.”
Wisler played in the No. 3 position this fall.
“Usually I just try to stay with my competition and just make sure I’m right there with them,” she said. “I like 18 (holes) more, because I really get into my groove around the halfway mark. I’m just going, I’m just playing. This season hasn’t been as hot as past seasons that I’ve played in, but especially when it’s hot, it’s important to have water or Gatorade for the back nine just to get recharged and ‘let’s go.’ “
She said practices are important for improvement, and mental toughness is essential in golf.
“The mental part is very important to consider because if you’re upset it usually affects how you play, and it just goes downhill, so it’s really important to stay positive and just think of each hole as a new start to do something better than the one before,” she said.
The senior has enjoyed her time at SHS.
“SHS is a lot of fun. I’ve had a lot of great relationships with the teachers that I’ve had,” she said. “I feel like the teachers I’ve had, and the classes that I’ve taken, have prepared me for college. I’m excited to see what my future brings.
“I’m going to remember the relationships that I’ve built with other people, and the fun memories I’ve made with all of them.”
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Name: Madeline Wisler
High school: Seymour
Parents: Ben and Amanda Wisler
Siblings: Claire, Lana, Ben, Emerich
Sports: golf 3 years, cross-country 1 year
Athletic highlights: regional qualifier, Owl Award
Organizations: National Honor Society, dance marathon, student government
Plans after high school: attend college, study biology
Favorite food: ice cream
Favorite TV show: Saved By The Bell
Favorite musicians: Maroon 5
Favorite movie: Mamma Mia
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