SXU Athletics
Senior golfer Kyle Bahnick is not your typical college student-athlete. You might say that he has a very mature mindset and outlook on life and its adversities.
“I believe that everything in our lives has a purpose and a reason for happening,” said the business major.
Bahnick is thankful that everything happens for a reason because otherwise he does not think he would have ended up at SXU.
“I wouldn’t change anything that’s happened in my life; I’ve had some great things happen to me as well as some terrible events. However, without [them], I wouldn’t have ended up at SXU to meet some of my closest friends,” he said.
Bahnick has played golf as a Cougar for three years now after transferring from Carthage College, where he walked on the team as a freshman. However, golf at Carthage was not the experience he wanted.
“Their program, although talented, just took the fun out of golf for me,” Bahnick said.
After Bahnick’s experience at Carthage College, he didn’t touch a golf club for two years. Then SXU head coach Mike Mandakas told Bahnick about SXU’s golf program, which was a perfect fit for Bahnick, so he joined the team.
Even more interesting, Bahnick played baseball growing up.
“[I] was traveling around the nation for that,” said the Inverness, Illinois, native.
However, Bahnick was looking for a better off-season sport to play.
“I started playing competitive golf my freshman year of high school when I decided to not play football in the fall. Golf seemed a bit more relaxing and easy going in the off-season before baseball in the spring,” he said.
That being said, Bahnick never expected to play collegiate golf.
“From age three I always thought I’d be playing college baseball somewhere and taking my chances with that route, but that just wasn’t in the cards,” said Bahnick.
His dream of playing college baseball was short-lived when he tore his throwing shoulder during his junior year of high school.
Bahnick consistently leads his team in scoring, but you never would have guessed that he struggles finding time to practice.
“I am just so busy between work, school and family that there are times where I just cannot work on my game, and unfortunately, that doesn’t help performance,” he said.
Bahnick overcomes this obstacle by keeping a strong mindset.
“I believe my best asset in golf, however, is my mental approach to the game,” he said. “I am able to beat individuals who are able to practice longer, who are more prepared and even some that just have more talent because of the fact that I am just mentally stronger and tougher than they are.”
This goes to show how golf is a two-dimensional game; Bahnick is proving that it is vital to incorporate your mental and physical strengths in order to get ahead.
Mandakas even vouches for how Bahnick’s mental strength helps him in golf.
“Kyle’s strength as a golfer is his ability to get through the round even when he isn’t playing his best. [His] biggest strength as a teammate is his ability to lead the team without saying anything but leading by example,” he said.
Leading by example will definitely help Bahnick with raising his 19-month-old daughter, Sloan.
“She is my pride and joy, and everything I do is for her,” said Bahnick. “I have had to learn and grow up so [quickly], but it’s all been worth it.”
Bahnick is going to have surgery now that the Cougars’ fall season has ended, but he is going to rehab hard in order to be back for the summer season. He also has some plans for himself after graduation.
“I plan to turn professional and take my chances on some mini tour events around the nation. I feel like my full potential has yet to be reached, so I am very excited for what the future holds. I’ll also be working a sales job on the side to maintain an income,” he said.
Bahnick will also continue to carry his unique outlook on golf as he explains how it will remain a priority of his.
“Golf will be a part of my life forever. Whether I am playing on television, teaching at a range, coaching at a school or even just teaching my daughter, it will always be a part of me. Golf is more than just a sport; it’s an opportunity to learn more about yourself and a tool which teaches us life lessons.”
It seems that Bahnick is teaching others life lessons as well.
“Kyle has grown a lot in his three years at Saint Xavier as he has gone through a lot more than a regular 22 year old goes through. He has had a bumpy road on and off the golf course over the past few years, but he has been able to hold everything together and evolve into a very good golfer and person, and I’m very proud to have him lead my team,” Mandakas said.
Bahnick is thankful for his coach and his teammates. They all mean a lot to each other.
“My favorite thing about the team is the fun that we all have with each other, as well as how comical we all can be,” said Bahnick. “Coach Mandakas means more to me than most. [He] is family, and I will always be grateful for what he’s done for me and all the opportunities he continues to bring my way.”
Indeed, opportunities will arise for Bahnick, and it will be exciting to see what more he will accomplish on and off the course.
Alexis Flamburis
Sports Contributor
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