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05/09/2023 08:26 AMThe saying goes that blood is thicker than water, but for Colin Deane, the saying could translate into blood being thicker than a wood or iron for himself, as the young athlete has a sound lineage on the links that has pushed him to make his own legacy at Branford.
The Hornets’ golf team senior started towards hockey as young as two years old when he began to learn how to skate. Influenced by his fathers and brothers who also golfed, Colin began tackling the driving range six years later at the age of eight.
Fast forward to Colin’s senior season and he has been a steady hand and swung a consistent club for Branford as someone who not only enjoys the game but additionally craves the challenge of self-betterment against some of the trickiest courses across the Shoreline.
“Golf is so much fun, and it is such a hard game to master. I also really like the challenge of trying to be a better golfer than you were the day before,” says Colin. “My family has played a big part in my success. My brother Liam was an All-State Team golfer here at Branford, and I learned a lot from all of them. Staying focused out there on the course during a long round has helped me, too.”
When it comes to slicing the ball, whether off the tee, the fairway, or rough, Colin concludes that he has straightened out and flown right with regard to the ball’s trajectory–leading the way to his score card tallies trending downward in a good fashion.
“My swing has really improved the most out of all my mechanics,” Colin says. “Throughout my whole life, I have always pushed the ball to the right. I have watched some YouTube videos on how to have a more straight swing, which has helped me shoot straighter and lower my scores.”
Golfers may wage war on select courses, but an added battle can be one that takes place in the brain. While it is a contest that can certainly break some of his course colleagues, Colin has risen above it by grasping the positive skill set of having a very abrupt memory.
“The mental game aspect of golf is huge,” says Colin. “Sometimes you can really get in your own head after some bad shots. When I was younger, I used to really be a head case out there. I would get mad, and it would disrupt my next shot. I have learned that you have to quickly forget about your last shot, which has helped me a lot.”
Branford golf team Head Coach Jennifer Kohut explains that Colin may be adding to his family legacy with the program, though he has additionally carved out his own identity as a leader fully committed to both the betterment of his own skills and the entire club.
“Colin Deane is a four-year player on the golf team,” says Kohut. “He follows in the footsteps of his brothers, Aidan and Liam. He has shown great leadership with the younger players. Colin is a player that I can count on to put up a good score. He continuously works on self-improvement and helping the team succeed.”
The game of golf requires a little bit of literal field work when it comes to preparing for a match. Rather than studying game film, pouring over statistical analysis, or perusing opposing squads’ tape, Colin explains that preparation is a solo act when it comes to his sport.
“One big thing that has helped me stay consistent as a golfer has been simply having a game plan,” Colin says. “Before a match, I will scout out the course and practice it. Knowing the shots I want to hit before I hit them has also helped me a lot.”
Echoing Coach Kohut’s sentiments about his leadership abilities and ambition, Colin indulges in great pleasure via taking younger teammates under his wing, showing them the ropes, and instilling the tools to excel.
“Being a senior leader on this team has been really fun,” says Colin. “Seeing the freshmen up-and-coming players and teaching them the courses and how to improve is great. It brings me so much joy to help them, see them work out their mechanics, and really improve with their golf game.”
As Colin pines for par in the back nine of his tenure with the Hornets, he is focused on attaining the best education and profession he can find through determination and dedication. In speaking to that same squad he will soon be departing, Colin is thankful that he is hopping around the holes with tremendous friends–helping diffuse the pressure.
“For golf, I want to finally break even over an 18-hole round, which is tough to do, and I am far from that right now. I also want to have fun out there and build more bonds. Academically, I want to go to college, get a good degree and good job,” Colin says. “Branford golf has been amazing for me. I am best friends with my teammates. We can easily laugh off a bad round or bad shots, which in turn helps me not worry too much about the next swing and forget the previous one by having fun.”