Athlete of the Week: Peter Schumacher

"The biggest difference between a good golfer and a great golfer is mental attitude. Sometimes you're out on the golf course for four or five hours, and you have to be able to stay focused. Pretty much everyone out there has the same ability to make shots, but the mental game makes the difference."

If this statement by Peter Schumacher, CC '00, is true, he himself has what it takes to be a great golfer. Described by Yale golf coach Dave Patterson as "a devoted and addicted golfer with a fearless competitive instinct and an amazing ability to pull off the shots," Schumacher proved his mental toughness last year.

Despite what he describes as "a rocky start," Schumacher finished his first year of Yale golf as the team's second- highest season finisher, and placed an impressive third at last spring's Ivy League Championship.

Schumacher combines his mental toughness during competition with a tireless work ethic, which compels him to practice an average of three hours per day. These practices usually consist of nine holes of tough intra-squad competition or intensive work at the driving range.

Despite the fact that not all practices are mandatory, he has yet to miss one, as far as his coach can remember. Schumacher was rewarded for this dedication last weekend when he placed 20th at the Yale Fall Intercollegiate Tournament, beating 165 other golfers and leading the squad to a ninth place finish.

Schumacher's commitment to golf started at the age of four when his dad taught him to play with a shortened five iron. Since that time, golf has played a very important role in Peter's life. He played years of competitive golf before coming to Yale, beginning with his first tournament at age eight and concluding with a successful high school career in San Diego, California.

Peter described his freshman season golfing for Yale as "lots of fun." He enjoys the team focus of college golf, particularly with the close-knit group that makes up the squad now. Schumacher hopes to lead Yale to its third consecutive Ivy League Championship and to a successful finish at the regional qualifier for the Division I NCAA tournament.

Team captain Scott Brinker, JE '99, said the team will "count on Peter for his consistency of score and desire to win."

Schumacher said that his goal this season is to "live up to my potential. If that means I win the tournament, so be it. But I want the satisfaction of playing a good round of golf."

With intensity and commitment to the sport, a good round of golf will always be within his reach.

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