The recent golf tournament at Branson Creek marked a special day for Aaron Lisenbee, one he won’t soon forget.

One wouldn’t know it was that special by the way he acted. He acted calm and level headed even after he hit his hole in one. It was the second of his life but the first in competition. Head Coach Jim Perry wasn’t present to see it, and when he asked Lisenbee about the shot, he got a different reaction than one would normally see.

“There was no jumping up and down; Aaron just had a big grin across his face,” Perry said.

That is just the reaction he expects from Lisenbee.

He wasn’t a child prodigy playing golf at the age of three. He didn’t begin playing until the seventh grade when a friend introduced him to the game.

That day seems so far away now. The success Lisenbee is having reminds people of former
Missouri Western golfer Brice Garnett, who now plays professionally.

“I would love to play professional golf,” Lisenbee said. “If not playing golf, I would love to be involved with golf somehow.”

Preparation is big when it comes to golf, knowing what club to use or how to play a certain hole. Being ready to play is a big part of playing golf.

Perry believes Lisenbee is always well prepared.

“When he walks out on the golf course, you know he’s ready to play,” Perry said.

Lisenbee also has to handle the pressure of being a team leader, though he has handled it by performing well in every tournament the team has played in this year.

The scores speak for themselves when it comes to grading Lisenbee’s talent. He has placed second twice this year. He hasn’t been outside the top five since the first tournament of the year. He is also shooting an average round of 71.5, with his best round being a score of 69. Freshman Caleb Carter knows the team can always count on Lisenbee.

“He is the team leader,” Carter said. “We know he will be in the top five at every tournament.”

The numbers don’t lie. Lisenbee is one of the best golfers in the conference. Still something has eluded Lisenbee, and that is a first place finish. He tied for first his freshman year, but he lost on a playoff hole.

“I would really like to get a tournament win this year,” Lisenbee said.

Lisenbee isn’t a cocky person and is easy to get along with. He won’t let the success go to his head. He plays the game the right way and doesn’t get overconfident.

“He really is a likable kid,” Perry said.

When Lisenbee is feeling stressed out from school or just life in general, he hits the course. It clears his mind, helps him relax. It’s a second home for Lisenbee.

“Golf just gets you away from everything,” Lisenbee said.

While attending Savannah High School Lisenbee was a three-sport athlete participating in football, basketball and golf. His first love has always been golf. Lisenbee doesn’t really miss playing the other sports now that he is college. Golf has always been what he has had a passion for.

Lisenbee has succeeded in tournaments outside the college. He won the 2006 St. Joseph City Championship. This tournament featured many area golfers, and Lisenbee beat them all to capture the title.

Lisenbee is only a junior, which means he has one more year to stamp his legacy. He could go down as one of the best golfers in the school’s history. Perry believes he is one of the best golfers he has ever coached.

“He is right up there with Brice Garnett,” Perry said. “The competition is better this year, and it’s harder to win tournaments.”

Tournaments will be easier to win if continues to make holes in one.