By Jesse Welte
Junior golfer Derek Fathauer was recently named one of Golf World’s Top 50 collegiate golfers to watch for in the 2006-2007 season. He was also nominated as one of 23 golfers to the Ben Hogan Award Watch List. It is awarded to the best golfer in any level of college competition based on their performance in the past 12 months.
Even after being bestowed with these great honors, Fathauer has been able to keep his cool and not let the fame go to his head.
“It hasn’t affected me in any way. I haven’t changed the way I play or my expectations. I still am just going to go out there and play my best. Whatever happens, happens,” said Fathauer.
Fathauer has been impressive in his first two years with the Cardinals. His track record, owed to his hard work and talent, has set him on pace to become one of the best golfers to ever play at the University of Louisville. In his first year, he was ranked the sixth best freshman in the country. He recorded six top ten finishes and achieved a career-high second place finish at the Cardinal Intercollegiate.
In his sophomore year, he posted a better stroke average than in his first year and recorded seven more top ten finishes. At the Big East Championship, he shot a conference record 202, earning him medalist honors and the individual conference champion. His impressive performance earned him a Ping All-Region selection and a spot on the All-Big East first team.
Fathauer helped the Cards win their first four tournaments this fall. The fall season ended with the team finishing in fifth place at the Club Glove Intercollegiate Tournament that is hosted by Pepperdine. Fathauer finished in a tie for fourth place.
Something special about Fathauer is that he is able to share the team’s success with his twin brother. Daryl Fathauer also excels for Louisville’s golf program. Not to be outdone, Daryl was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Year in Louisville’s final year in the league. As a sophomore, he was also named first team All-Big East after finishing in a tie for fifth place at the Big East Championship.
It only made sense that the brothers who hail from Jensen Beach, Fla., play together at Louisville.
“We’ve been playing together ever since we were little. We don’t have to help each other as much now. We just go out and play,” said Fathauer.
The golf team’s head coach, Mark Crabtree, spoke highly of his junior duo, expecting big things from them in the future.
“The Fathauers were great additions to our program. They are only going to get better and will likely re-write the record books by the time they graduate.”
A bright future lies ahead for Derek. “I want to play as well as I can now and do well in school,” said the sports administration major. “I definitely want to play professional golf.”
Like Crabtree said, he can only get better. If he can continue to improve his magnificent play throughout the rest of his college career, there will be no reason that he can’t make it professionally. Fathauer’s skill and determination will be a deciding factor in April when the Ben Hogan Award is announced.
Although the fall season ended on a sour note, expect the Cards to rebound mightily when the spring season starts. The continued success of the Fathauers and the rest of the golf team gives the program high expectations hoping to soar to new heights, not just this spring but in the many years to come. Fathauer will lead the way as they look to avenge a playoff loss in last year’s Big East Championship, en route to the NCAA Golf Championship.
