BY RICH PALZEWIC
CORRESPONDENT
Jed Baranczyk (ba-ron-check) is a recent graduate of Bay Port High School where he was a member of the golf team.
Jed will be attending North Dakota State University on a golf scholarship and will study business, with the hopes of getting into law school.
Baranczyk finished third individually at the WIAA D1 state meet as a freshman, 27th as a sophomore and second his junior year.
Name: Jed Baranczyk
Nickname: Baba Yaga
Parents: Mary Beth & Ricci
School: Bay Port
Sport: golf
Twitter: @PGABeaner
What’s up with the Twitter handle?
“I don’t really know! My relatives always just called me ‘Beaner.’ One of my cousins set that Twitter account up for me like five years ago.”
Is there one you sport you wish you could have done?
“Probably hockey … we had a rink in our yard when I was younger, but I never got competitive with it. I can still skate now, but it’s been a while.”
You must come from a golfing family?
“My older brother Max golfs and so does my younger sister Jo. My parents used to golf a lot, but they do not as much anymore.”
Who’s the best golfer in the family?
“Everything considered, I’d say Jo. She’s much higher nationally ranked than me – and rightfully so – but she doesn’t really beat me much from a pure scoring standpoint.”
Can Jo win a state championship eventually?
“Absolutely. She wasn’t pleased with how she finished last year (fifth as a freshman), so if she plays all four years, I expect that she can win at least two state championships. She’s definitely talented enough, but it’s just a matter of putting it together for two days.”
What was it like golfing for head coach Craig Buchinger?
“He was great! It was always just fun talking to him about hunting and fishing as well … Max and I do that a lot. He was a really good on-course coach and is a good player himself. It was awesome with him.”
Do you have a most memorable golf moment?
“Freshman year at state – we came in with no real expectations – when we took third as a team. I also took third individually.”
What’s your favorite club in your bag?
“My putter … it drives me nuts, but that’s what I like about golf … solving the problems.”
If putting is your weakness, what is your strength?
“My wedges.”
How far can you drive it?
“My average carry with a driver is about 286, but with rollout it’s around 304.”
Have you ever disc golfed?
“I have! It’s probably been four to five years. I’m not good at it, though.”
So a good golfer doesn’t translate into a good disc golfer? Maybe I could beat you!
“Not at all! Yes, for sure you could.”
Do you have a favorite PGA golfer?
“I’ve been a big Jason Day fan – I like the way he goes about golf courses. I also like Patrick Rodgers.”
Have you ever attended a PGA event?
“I attended the PGA Championships at Whistling Straights in 2015 and was at Erin Hills last year for the U.S. Open.”
Cool! Did you get any autographs?
“During a practice round at Whistling Straights I got one from Justin Rose and Ricky Fowler.”
Last year you were the state runner-up, this year you didn’t qualify for the state tournament … what happened and how disappointed were you?
“I was very disappointed, but I just had a bad day at sectionals … that one stung. I had been in a really bad place with my game for about 10 days leading up to sectionals and I did a really bad job of managing it that day.”
But, you just won the Wisconsin Junior PGA Championship by four shots at two courses in Milwaukee County … how does that happen?
“I’m feeling a little better, but I managed it well to get under par both days. It was soaking wet and we got rained on all day. (Two-time defending state champ) Piercen Hunt was the only big name that wasn’t there, so it was a bit of redemption for me.”
What’s on your music playlist?
“Everything. Whatever is new … I like Jack Johnson when I’m practicing.”
If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?
“That’s a tough one … maybe (PGA golfer) Dustin Johnson. I’d like to see what it’s like to hit a ball that far.”
What three words best describe you?
“Stubborn, hard-working, persistent.”
Lie on the beach or ski down the slopes?
“Ski down the slopes.”
Putting or chipping?
“Putting.”
Bowling or the movies?
“Bowling.”
Fruits or veggies?
“Fruits.”
Carpet or hardwood floors?
“Hardwood floors.”
Favorites
Food: venison
Subject: math
Color: blue
App: Instagram
Board game: Life
Notes: suggestions for the Senior Spotlight can be submitted to Rich via email ([email protected]) or by Twitter (@richpalzewic)… all spotlights can be found online at thepress.media. Check out last week’s spotlight on Bay Port’s Jordan Bindas.