Tanner Ludwig
By Kolby Vetter
Staff Writer
Freshman golfer Tanner Ludwig started his first practice for the DMACC team two weeks ago, but there is one thing missing – his grandpa.
Ludwig’s grandpa moved from coach to number one fan, when the three-time state champion finished his playing career in high school and joined the Bears.
“Looking back at the last four years, I have had so much fun playing the game and learning from my grandpa, everything was blast, and the fact that we won made it even better,” Ludwig said.
For the past four years Ludwig has been guided by his Grandpa Larry Clark at Kuemper Catholic High School.
Ludwig grew up around the game, all of his grandparents played, his parents played, but there was one grandparent that stood out, and that man was Larry Clark. There was a special bond, a love for the game; and at age 6 Ludwig was already receiving lessons from his grandpa. Over the past 12 years, the bond has grown even stronger. Leading the charge at Kuemper High School, Clark has not only won numerous state titles but has taught his grandson and many more valuable life lessons.
Matt Gute, who also is a golfer at DMACC, played for Kuemper and remembers what it was like. “Coach Clark was the best coach I have ever had in any sport, and Tanner was a good leader, fun to place with, and was a great golfer,” Gute said.
It all started in Ludwig’s freshman year of high school, he finally had a chance to be coached by his grandpa and even play alongside his brother. Ludwig knew how hard it would be to get the state championship trophy. It would mean being on the course as much as he could. Ludwig gives all the credit to his grandpa for helping him turn into the player that he is today.
“He (Clark) always had me practicing, playing everyday I could. He would videotape me and always give me advice,” Ludwig said. Anything that Ludwig needed to work on, Clark was there, giving input and helping him in the best possible way, Ludwig said.
Over the years, Gute could see this connection between Ludwig and Clark; he saw something special and the bond that the two shared playing together. “They had so much in common. He (Clark) made Tanner so much better, the two shared such a love for the game, and they were sort of like colleagues,” Gute said.
Fast-forward three years, Ludwig and company managed to win three state titles back to back to back. Although they came up short in his senior season, they still finished second.
“It was really tough, our only loss in three years, but to win three titles is more than most so I’m happy about that, but to go out without one was hard,” Ludwig said.
As Ludwig’s high school days were coming to a close and Coach Clark retired, Tanner knew he wasn’t ready to be done playing golf competitively. Playing college golf has been on Ludwig’s mind since junior high when he was playing all over the state of Iowa in tournaments.
Ludwig signed with DMACC last spring and is ready for a new chapter of his life to start, playing alongside former teammate Matt Gute, and good friend Brad Christensen, Tanner is excited for the future. The Bears are looking for another strong season after finishing eighth at nationals last year.
“My number one goal as a team is to make it to nationals, and go as far as we can,” Ludwig said, “As far as individually I want to become and All American at nationals.”
Tanner hopes after his playing days at DMACC are over, he can move on to a D1 college, even if that means a smaller school such as UNI, or somewhere out of state.
“He (Clark) always had me practicing, playing everyday I could. He would videotape me and always give me advice,” Ludwig said. Anything that Ludwig needed to work on, Clark was there, giving input and helping him in the best possible way, Ludwig said.
Over the years, Gute could see this connection between Ludwig and Clark; he saw something special and the bond that the two shared playing together. “They had so much in common. He (Clark) made Tanner so much better, the two shared such a love for the game, and they were sort of like colleagues,” Gute said.
Fast-forward three years, Ludwig and company managed to win three state titles back to back to back. Although they came up short in his senior season, they still finished second.
“It was really tough, our only loss in three years, but to win three titles is more than most so I’m happy about that, but to go out without one was hard,” Ludwig said.
As Ludwig’s high school days were coming to a close and Coach Clark retired, Tanner knew he wasn’t ready to be done playing golf competitively. Playing college golf has been on Ludwig’s mind since junior high when he was playing all over the state of Iowa in tournaments.
Ludwig signed with DMACC last spring and is ready for a new chapter of his life to start, playing alongside former teammate Matt Gute, and good friend Brad Christensen, Tanner is excited for the future. The Bears are looking for another strong season after finishing eighth at nationals last year.
“My number one goal as a team is to make it to nationals, and go as far as we can,” Ludwig said, “As far as individually I want to become and All American at nationals.”
Tanner hopes after his playing days at DMACC are over, he can move on to a D1 college, even if that means a smaller school such as UNI, or somewhere out of state.