Just a soph, Bianchi is Hobart's top golfer

Garrett Bianchi of Hobart watches the flight of his ball on the first tee at Indian Ridge Golf Course.
(Stephanie Dowell/Post-Tribune)

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HOBART -- Hobart coach Bob Budzielek knows that his No. 1 player, Garrett Bianchi, is still a work in progress.

Budzielek, who's been coaching for the Brickies for 20 years, likes what he sees so far.

Already a first-team all-Northwest Crossroads Conference player, Bianchi is just a sophomore.

"He's pretty good," Budzielek said. "He doesn't make many mistakes."

Budzielek also likes Bianchi's competitive instincts. Last year when the Brickies played Crown Point, Bianchi, a freshman, wanted to be paired up against Nick Grubnich. Grubnich, who finished third in the state meet in 2008, is one of the best players in Northwest Indiana. Grubnich beat Bianchi by eight strokes.

"He wanted to go against him," Budzielek said.

Said Bianchi: "I'd like to think I'm competitive. Hopefully this year, I can catch up to him."

He also shot a 43 last week when it was 37 degrees outside and the wind chill factor was around 20.

Bianchi's path to golf started three years ago when he played his first round with his uncle, Barry Rippe, a familiar name around here. Rippe, a senior player, is a pretty good local tournament player.

Bianchi calls Rippe a "pro."

Ever since the two of them teed it up, Bianchi has been hooked.

Hooked enough that he was able to drop his scores to the high 30s and high 70s at Indian Ridge Golf Course.

Budzielek has him playing No. 1 on a team that he says is solid despite not being big on numbers.

"He hits it straight," Budzielek said. "There is no substitute for that. If he's in bad position, he doesn't make it worse."

Bianchi's goals are fairly simple.

He'd like to make first-team all-conference again and qualify for regionals. He shot a 92 last year at the Boone Grove Sectional at Lakes of the Four Season.

This offseason, Bianchi, who plans to play basketball at Hobart next year, spent a good chunk of his time putting in his house, working on the weakest part of his game.

"I practiced every day," he said.

He has added about 20 yards to his drives.

Now, according to Budzielek, Bianchi just needs experience.

"His short game is pretty good," he said. "It's just a matter of trusting his shots and getting some rounds under his belt."

Contact Mike Hutton at 648-3139 or mhutton@post-trib.com