Chase VandenBerg is a Talented Golfer Chasing Success

No, but he is getting there. Chase VandenBerg, a new member of the Cornerstone University golf team, is continually improving his golf game and helping his team while he does it. So far, he has had a huge impact on the University's golf season.

"We've had one match so far [in the spring semester] and I shot 74, so I feel pretty good about the way I've played so far."

Since 72 is usually par, he is very close to taking the next step as a true golfer. The best professional golfers usually score in the high 60s, which is not far away from VandenBerg's scores.

Although he did not become a golfer overnight in his earlier years, VandenBerg did learn how to golf on a course his grandfather built. Slowly his swing was perfected, and so he began to compete.

"I got into junior tournaments in the Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo area. Two or three tournaments a summer," said VandenBerg.

Over the years, his earlier experiences of golfing helped him find success. He went on to play four years of varsity golf in high school. Then during his first two years at Kalamazoo Valley Community College he went to the nationals in Alabama twice.

He said of the experience at nationals, "You get there and feel like a pro. You get water and Gatorade at every hole. They treat you real well."

VandenBerg then transferred to Cornerstone this year, slightly dissatisfied with his seasons at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Before the fall 2006 semester began, though, he received his opportunity.

"Halfway through the summer my dad randomly meet the coach here...the coach said, 'bring your son out to Clear Brook Golf Club. We can play 18 holes and it will be like a tryout for him.'"

Needless to say, the tryout went well.

When assessing his golf game, he said, "The best thing about my golf game would be my consistency. I can hit it straight. Probably my accuracy is my best
His hard work has helped him develop the skills necessary to be a success. In fact he has quickly become the second leading golfer on the Cornerstone team, hoping to strengthen the competitiveness of the team

"We're good. We didn't play up to our potential last fall. It was kind of inconsistent. If we all put it together I think that the team has a serious shot of going to nationals. I truly believe that."

The gold team may have to play an underdog role to do so, but quite often those become the best stories.

"No one's expecting Cornerstone to come out and win it, but that's kind of why I think we're like the underdog. And I think that's why we might surprise some people at regionals. We have a legitimate chance."