Get To Know Your Buckeyes: Freshmen – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/6/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
April 6, 2012
Golfers Boo Timko and Grant Weaver may only be freshmen, but the first-year duo is already playing a big part in Ohio State’s success this season. Timko is third on the squad with a 74.09 stroke average and has competed in all nine tournaments this season for the Buckeyes. Weaver is fifth overall with a 74.95 average and has played in all but one tournament this year.
FRONT NINE
How has the transition been for you from high school to collegiate golf?
BT: The courses and competition has been much tougher, but it’s been fun to have to step up my game and really test my abilities.
GW: It’s not anything that I haven’t seen before. I have competed in tournaments against collegiate golfers prior to this year and have also experienced team golf as a member of my high school team. The biggest difference is that the stage is bigger and there is more pressure since I want to represent Ohio State well.
Entering the final quarter of your freshman year, do you feel that you have established a balance between school and golf?
BT: Yes, I feel like I’ve found a way to balance them. During very short turnarounds between tournaments, you have to be very good with managing your time, and getting the things you need done.
GW: Yes, but it is still a work in progress. That was probably the biggest adjustment I had to make coming to college. I learned to value my time and plan things out in ahead so I don’t fall behind in class, or worse laundry!
Out of all the courses you’ve played on this season, which one is your favorite? The toughest?
BT: I think both my favorite and toughest would have to be Isleworth in Windermere Fla. Everything on the course was in perfect condition. What made it difficult was that there were areas on and around the greens where it made it impossible to get up and down. You had to be very smart on where to miss your shots.
GW: Muirfield Village was my favorite course so far. It was awesome to finally play the course that I have watched the pros play in the Memorial tournament for years. I would say the toughest course that I played was Olympia Fields in Illinois. It was a challenge to play my first collegiate event on a course that has hosted the US Open.
Is there any aspect of your game that you focus on more than others? Why?
BT: Definitely my short game. My short game was the part of my game lacking the most, and I’ve improved it a lot already since I’ve been here.
GW: It depends on what is hurting my chances of posting a good score in tournaments. Throughout the fall and winter I worked mainly on my ball striking since that was making it very difficult for me to score as well as I wanted to. In the fall, I usually had to fight hard around the greens to post a good score.
What has been the best advice, regarding your game, the coaching staff has given you?
BT: The coaching staff has taught me so much this season, but the part of my game they helped me with the most is learning to play in the wind and better course management to prepare for a tournament.
GW: The best advice they have given me is to expect great things of myself. Don’t settle for being good when you have the ability to be great.
How does it feel to have such a strong impact on the team during your freshman season?
BT: It’s been a blast to travel and compete with the team at every tournament this year. And it’s been great to be able to have a significant contribution to the team.
GW: I am glad to have the opportunity to play in the lineup as a freshman, but I don’t want it to stop there. My goal is to do everything possible to put our team in a position for success.
What has been the highlight of your season, so far?
BT: So far it would be our team winning during my first collegiate golf tournament at Marshall. We had to play a solid final round to come from behind and win.
GW: My biggest highlight was finishing in a tie for fourth at the FAU Spring Break Championship. I finally broke into red numbers and posted a few under par scores. In the final round, I holed out for eagle from 110 yards.
If you could play in any tournament on the PGA Tour, which would you pick? Why?
BT: I’d love to play the Masters. Being able to play at Augusta National with all the history and tradition would be my pick.
GW: Far and away my choice would be the Masters. There is so much history and tradition at Augusta and in my opinion there is nothing else like it in golf.
Of all the sports, what made you pick golf?
BT: Ever since I was little, my Dad would tape every golf tournament and I would sit and watch it with him. He introduced me to golf, and I knew I would have a future in it.
GW: I excelled at golf at a young age more than any other sport and let’s face it; sports are more fun when you succeed. Also, golf is different than most sports because of the variety involved. There are so many different courses and ways to play the game making it a new challenge every time.
What does it mean to have the opportunity to play for Ohio State?
BT: It’s an honor to be able to compete for, and represent my state school, especially one that is as great as THE Ohio State University. No matter where we travel to, there are always Buckeyes.
GW: It means a lot to me because I have been a Buckeye fan since I was young. Ohio State athletics has a great tradition and it is an honor to be a part of it.
BACK NINE
Favorite Ohio State tradition…
BT: Would probably be Script Ohio before the football games.
GW: I don’t know if I could pick one, but I will have to go with the Mirror Lake jump. I got to experience that this fall and it was insane how many students were in and around the water. It was fun even though my towel got stolen.
If I could go anywhere on vacation, I’d go to…
BT: The Bahamas. I’ve never been there but I hear it’s awesome.
GW: I think it would be cool to travel down south to Australia or New Zealand.
The person most likely to win an arm wrestling match between Boo Timko and his cousin Ohio State defensive lineman John Simon would be…
BT: Even though everyone thinks our bodies are built a lot alike, I think he might be able to win this one.
GW: John wins easily…Unless Boo gets to use both arms, in which case John still wins, but slightly less easily.
My favorite sport, other than golf, is…
BT: Basketball – I still try to get out and play once in a while for a little break.
GW: Basketball – I played on my high school team and still play occasionally at the RPAC with some other guys from the team. I am happy to say that I can dunk….on a good day.
When I’m not on the course, you can find me…
BT: Just hanging out with friends, or on the basketball court.
GW: Playing other sports or watching them either on TV or in person. I love going to Ohio State home football and basketball games.
If I had to watch either Harry Potter or Twilight, I’d pick…
BT: Harry Potter. I refuse to watch Twilight..
GW: Harry Potter! Not even a contest.
Must-have meal when I go home…
BT: Leo’s Italian Restaurant. Get some pasta, iced tea, and sweet and sour Calamari. Delicious.
GW: Anything that my mom makes. There are a lot of good dining options on campus, but I would trade them all for a home-cooked meal.
If I were a superhero, the teammate I would choose to be my sidekick would be…
BT: Without a doubt Logan Jones. I’ve already seen him in action in “AIA Ohio State Batman and Ryan” on You Tube. He’s pretty intimidating.
GW: Logan Jones. He already fights crime on campus as batman!
After college I can see myself…
BT: Playing golf professionally for a living.
GW: Testing my game as a pro and if that doesn’t work out using my degree from Ohio State to get an accounting position.
