Over the course of the 2014 prep golf season, few high school golfers in the state of Colorado were as good as Montezuma-Cortez High School’s Hayden Plewe.
Now, after finishing second in the West Slope Regional Golf Tournament on Sept. 16, the senior is headed to Colorado State Tournament, which will take place in Pueblo, Sept. 29-30.
In advance of his state appearance, Plewe sat down with the Cortez Journal and discussed his play this season, his high school career as a whole, his early years in golf, his family and his future.
A successful 2014 season
Throughout the 2014 season golf season, Plewe was always consistent and sometimes spectacular.
In addition to earning a top-three individual finish in nearly every tournament in which he played, Plewe finished first at Devil’s Thumb Golf Club in Delta on Aug. 27 after shooting a season-best round of 69.
Thanks to his outstanding scoring average, Plewe earned first-team all-conference honors and was named the top Class 4A golfer in the West Slope Region.
“I’m really excited about how I’ve played this season,” said Plewe. “Over the summer, I was really working on my game. I made some swing changes and my misses became irrelevant.”
A solid high school career
While the 2014 season was the most successful of Plewe’s high school career, his previous three were also solid.
Playing on M-CHS’s varsity team as a freshman and sophomore, Plewe helped the Panthers win West Slope Region Championships and played in the state tournament both seasons.
“When I got (to high school) my freshman year, all I wanted to do was contribute to the team,” said Plewe. “A reason that I was so successful is that I had great players to play with. Brian Grubbs, Chris Aiken, Jakob Rudosky, Dominique (Johnson)…I saw them playing and I wanted to play like them.”
Plewe went on to enjoy an outstanding junior season, winning two individual tournament titles and earning 1st-team all-conference honors.
The M-CHS standout did not qualify for the state tournament however, after recording a 10 on the 16th hole of the West Slope Regional Tournament.
“What I took from (my junior year) is that good players have bad rounds,” said Plewe. “I’ve been far more consistent this season.”
An early start and family support
Among the factors contributing to Plewe’s consistency this season has been his technically solid swing, which he began perfecting at an early age.
Interested in a variety of sports in his younger years, Plewe took up golf at the age of seven at the behest of his father, Todd Plewe.
“My dad brought me over to the golf course and started hitting,” said Hayden Plewe. “I played a few little tournaments and then, at about (the age) of eight or nine, I stopped playing baseball to focus on golf.”
Working with Conquistador Golf Course club professional Micah Rudosky, Plewe quickly improved and by the age of 10, became even more focused on improving.
“I’ve always been a longer hitter of the ball,” said Plewe. “Once kids started putting really well and chipping really well, I didn’t win like I used to. I started realizing it was more serious and started really elevating my game.”
Now one hundred percent committed to golf, Plewe plays nearly every day and competes in several junior tournaments each summer.
Last summer alone, the M-CHS standout competed in 20 junior tournaments across the country, which he noted would have not have been possible absent the support of his family.
“My parents, (Todd Plewe and Monica Plewe), have had a great influence on me,” said Hayden Plewe. “My siblings have taught me responsibility and a little bit of patience.”
A bright future
As for his immediate future, Plewe plans to finish out the high school golf season before suiting up for M-CHS’s varsity basketball team this winter.
After graduating from high school, the senior plans to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints before playing golf at the college level.
“My parents have been tremendously supportive (of my mission),” said Plewe. “In terms of golf, I don’t know where I’m going. I still need to make some pretty big decisions.”
Regardless of the college at which he plays, Plewe hopes to pursue a bachelor’s degree in science, attend law school and eventually work as a patent attorney.
Before that happens however, Plewe will focus on performing well at next week’s state golf tournament.
“My goal at state is to be in contention,” said Plewe. “I’m really excited.”