Driving Success

Beckler thankful for opportunities indoor golf facility giving team

For Athletics Spotlight - Fall 2018

Junior golfer Andrew Beckler’s transfer to Washburn this year from Kansas State University coincided with the opening of an amazing new amenity for the golf team.

The Ichabods now have an advantage over much of their competition with an indoor facility built at The Topeka Country Club. The building features multiple bays for them to hit from, a practice green, lockers and technology to analyze their swing.

“It’s phenomenal,” said Beckler, a Washburn Rural High School graduate. “It’s everything we could ask for.”

With the fall season wrapping up, the Ichabods ability to practice is normally now at winter’s mercy. With the new facility, they’ll be able to practice all winter in preparation for the spring season.

“Teams in the north, they don’t get to go outside much during the winter,” he said. “It’s going to be nice to stay sharp with our games. We’ll be able to keep up with southern schools who get to golf all the time.”

The facility was funded by donors, and Beckler is very thankful to them for the support they give the team.

“It’s going to serve Washburn golf well, and it’s going to serve The Topeka Country Club well,” he said. “People we see always congratulate us on our success. We appreciate that. It was an easy choice to come to Washburn, and I love it so far. I knew Coach (Jeff) Stromgren and some guys from high school. It’s been an easy transition.”

The finance major has been a big part of Washburn’s early success as the Ichabods finished first as a team in three of their first four tournaments. He finished eighth individually in the season-opening tournament and sixth in the fourth event this fall.

“It’s fun to compete,” he said. “It’s fun to have the competitive juices flowing late in rounds. All of us pulling through, coming in clutch in the end has been fun.”

He hopes this carries over to the spring where they can secure an NCAA tournament appearance, which is one of their goals.

“Just getting confidence, winning tournaments and being in contention is going to serve us well to perform under pressure in the spring,” he said.