For senior Brady Munter, golf is more than a sport—it is a way to connect with others, hone his skills, and build lifelong memories. Whether navigating the fairway or hosting poker nights with friends, Brady embodies dedication and friendship in everything he does.
Brady’s introduction to golf came from his grandfather, who invited him to play at exclusive country clubs in Nebraska during family visits. One memory that stands out for Brady is playing on a newly built course with just 250 members.
“It was very select, and it was a bunch of fun,” Brady said.
Though Brady began golfing in elementary school, he returned to the sport seriously in high school. According to his mom, Patti, his passion for golf emerged during his freshman year.
“Brady dabbled in golf as a kid, taking group lessons in the summer, but never really got out onto the course until he was in his early teens. Brady really started golfing his freshman year, and it was the first time his dad and I saw him being truly competitive,” Patti said. “He always enjoyed being part of group sports, but golf was different. He was driven to be better.”
Patti attributes much of Brady’s growth to joining Mike’s Golf Center during his sophomore year.
“The change really came when he joined Mike’s Golf Center the winter of his sophomore year. There he was able to practice his long game and short game all winter,” Patti said. “When he got out on the course that spring, he was a different golfer.”
Brady’s golf coach, Joe McCollom, praised his growth and dedication to the sport.
“Brady excelled his senior year finishing in the top 20 out of all varsity golfers in the conference. He was a consistent player and I could always count on him to score accordingly. His growth throughout his tenure with the program is all due to his dedication,” McCollom said.
Despite missing the cut for Sectionals by just one stroke this year, Brady reflects positively on his high school golf journey, earning All-Conference honors and forging lasting friendships with his teammates.
“My first three years were a bunch of fun. This year was still fun, but it was missing some key components,” Brady said, referencing the absence of seniors like Jack Walsh, who graduated last year.
Allen, a former teammate, remembered Brady’s positive impact on the team.
“Brady improved his golf game a lot over the three years I was his teammate, so much so that some new players on the team were asking him for advice and to help with their swing, and Brady always helped,” Allen said.
Brady’s favorite club is his eight iron, which he describes as “versatile off the tee and on the fairway.” However, he admits putting remains his biggest challenge.
“I miss a lot of putts, and that’s my biggest weakness. Off the tee and hitting the green, I’m pretty good,” Brady said.
When not on the course, Brady caddies at Cantigny Golf, where he recently earned the prestigious honors caddy designation after completing over 100 loops. Caddying has not only provided a steady income but also allowed Brady to make connections with people from diverse backgrounds.
“I love meeting people on the course and creating lifelong personal and business connections. It’s also a nice source of income for a teenager over the summer,” Brady said.
Brady’s golf coach emphasized the values Brady has gained from the sport. “Golf is a gentleman’s sport. The core values of golf are integrity, good sportsmanship, and respect for the game,” the coach said at awards night. “Brady’s favorite place is the golf course. It has helped him grow into the confident, independent, honest person he is today.”
Outside of golf, Brady values time with friends and family. A highlight of his summers is heading to Beef Shack on Wednesdays with his teammates, enjoying their iconic metal cups that keep drinks ice-cold.
“The cups represent friendship to me because they remind me of moments I spent with my friends,” Brady said.
This year, Brady also hosted weekly poker nights with a large group of friends, where games of Texas Hold’em often coincided with college football. Brady has been improving his bluffing skills, though he admits he is still learning the ropes of the game.
“I’d say I’m getting better at bluffing. Last night, I had a few good bluffs that usually wouldn’t get through,” Brady said.
When it comes to family, Brady speaks fondly of a summer trip to Wyoming to celebrate his grandfather’s 80th birthday. The Munters stayed in Jackson Hole, explored Yellowstone, and went white-water rafting.
“It was a ton of fun. My grandpa brought us all together for his birthday. We stayed for seven days and explored the area,” Brady said.
Although Brady has played other sports, such as tennis and cross country, he remains committed to golf and the sense of community it brings.
“To me, golf means a sense of community. All golfers look out for each other and talk to each other at the golf course. Everyone’s friendly,” Brady said.
Brady’s high school years may be coming to an end, but the memories he’s made through golf, poker nights, and family adventures will stay with him as he continues his journey.
