By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
Cole Griffin is a senior member of the De Pere boys’ golf team.
He will be attending UW-Milwaukee to study business administration.
In his spare time, Griffin likes to watch movies.
Name: Cole Griffin
School: De Pere
Sport: Boys’ golf
Parents: Dave and Cassie
Twitter: @colegriffox10
Tell me about your family.
“I have an older brother named Connor who lives in Nashville, an older sister named Cayley who is a senior at UW-Madison, my mom was raised in Madison and my dad grew up in Milwaukee.”
Do you come from a golfing/sports family?
“No one in my family golfs, but both of my siblings ran cross country and my sister played soccer. My mom played basketball and my dad played basketball and ran.”
How about a high school sport you wish you had done?
“I wish I had stuck with basketball.”
Golf can be a frustrating game – when did you start and when did you realize it was something you could excel at?
“When I was about 10, I noticed some very old clubs in the garage that my dad had. He took me to Mr. Golf to hit on the range, and I kept wanting to go back. When I was in junior high, I realized I could be pretty good.”
Do you have an early golf memory?
“I decided I wanted to teach some of my neighbors how to golf in my front yard. My neighbor Sophia hit me in the head with a club on her swing – clearly, I was too close to her. My hand was covered in blood. We had a doctor across the street that checked me out. It’s a miracle I’m still into golf after that.”
How far can you drive it?
“My average is about 280-285 yards, and my longest is probably 330.”
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a golfer?
“Chipping is my strength and putting is my weakness.”
What’s the craziest golf shot you’ve ever made?
“During regionals last year at Brown County on hole No. 8, I was about 200 yards away from the green in some trees. My coach advised me to chip it out to the fairway, but I had a thin path where I could see the green. I used a four iron for a punch shot and put it within 10 feet of the pin. The disappointing part is that I missed the putt for birdie.”
How close have you come to a hole in one?
“Probably within a foot.”
What is your favorite local course?
“I’m a fan of Wander Springs in Greenleaf and Horseshoe Bay in Door County.”
What’s your favorite course you’ve ever golfed?
“Whistling Straits in Kohler – it’s a classic.”
What is your favorite club in the bag?
“Definitely my driver.”
Golf has a lot of quirky rules – which one is the most bizarre in your opinion?
“The WIAA has a new rule this year where if you happen to whiff your tee shot or barely hit it and it stays behind the tee marker, you are eligible to re-tee the ball without a penalty stroke.”
What is your most embarrassing golf moment?
“Probably my opening meet last year as the No. 1 golfer. I had two pinched nerves in my back and I shot a 99. That was embarrassing.”
What is something about you most people wouldn’t know?
“I became an Eagle Scout last fall.”
What was your final Eagle Scout project?
“I built a patio fire pit at my church along with four wooden benches.”
What three words best describe you?
“Comedic, leader, charismatic.”
How will Cole Griffin be remembered at De Pere?
“Hopefully as a person who gave people a positive attitude and kept them laughing and smiling.”
Sunrise or sunset?
“Sunset.”
Carpet or hardwood?
“Hardwood.”
Do the dishes or vacuum?
“Vacuum.”
Chocolate or vanilla?
“Chocolate.”
Fruits or veggies?
“Fruits.”
Favorites
Golfer: Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnson
Board game: Monopoly
Phone app: Snapchat
Food: Buffalo wings
Color: Purple