By Scott Huff
The initial meeting between Plymouth-Whitemarsh senior James Braunsberg and head coach George Wadlin was anything but a chance meeting.
“I heard about this young fifth grader who was a tremendous player,” recalled Wadlin. “I went out to Plymouth Country Club and introduced myself to James and his father. I asked him if he was going to go to Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School.”
Braunsberg, who indeed has had an illustrious career at PW, was bitten by the golf bug at an early age.
“I remember driving with my Dad by a golf course when I was very young and telling him I wanted to be playing there,” said Braunsberg. “And my Dad said that that was fine – but that I would have to earn it.”
Braunsberg’s scholastic career has shown that he has earned it. Since his freshman year he has been all-league in the Suburban One American Conference and has been the team MVP over that same time span.
“James is quiet – yet very team oriented,” said Wadlin. “He is always trying to make each player – from the top of the roster to the bottom – a better player.
“He never puts himself above his team mates,” added Wadlin. “He offers advice to the younger players and sets examples for the rest of the team.”
The number one goal for Braunsberg is a team goal. But he has his own personal goal as well.
“I want to lead our team to another championship,” said Braunsberg as the Colonials have been nothing but champions since his freshman season. “Plus I would really like to improve my game and get out of districts.”
The best part of Braunsberg’s golf game right now is his superb putting.
“I have never seen a kid make so many five-foot putts,” said Wadlin. “He is excellent on the green.”
Braunsberg does admit, though, to needing to work on the mental aspect of the game.
“If I have a bad hole, sometimes that snowballs into a second bad hole,” he said. “I want to be able to put that bad hole out of my mind and get back on track.”
Braunsberg has been working on his game outside the confines of the high school environment. He works with Mike Dynda – golf pro at Blue Bell Country Club.
“He has helped me by having me trust in my swing,” said Brausnberg. “My short game has improved, and I have a pre-shot routine that has helped me get mentally ready to play the game.”
Braunsberg – a good student – will take his game to the next level next season. Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State, and Central Florida are all in the mix right now.
Major?
“Something to do with golf,” he said.
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