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Edgerton junior should contend for Division 2 golf title

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Dan Ozga

EDGERTON — Since slowing down his golf swing, Dan Ozga has been on a fast track to success.

The Edgerton High School junior has qualified for the WIAA Division 2 state tournament for the second straight year and was the Player of the Year in the Rock Valley Conference this season.

Ozga finished in the top 20 at last year's state meet, and he hopes the slight swing modification pays off today and Tuesday at University Ridge Course in Madison.

"I think it's going to take shooting probable two or three over for the 36 holes to have a chance at a medal," said Ozga, who had rounds of 78 and 82 on the Par 72 course a year ago. "My goal is to finish in the top five.

"I really like the course. The greens are fair, and if you can keep your tee shots in the fairway, there are some definite birdie chances."

Ozga has always been a good putter. And although he labels himself a little above average as far as length goes off the tee, he said a lack of consistency plagued him last year and the early part of this season. Two good shots off the tee or in the fairway would be followed by a couple that found the rough or didn't produce the result Ozga was hoping to see.

The inconsistencies on the course brought a call to Pat Gorman, the head professional at The Oaks in Cottage Grove. By analyzing Ozga's swing, Gorman felt that his pupil was coming back too fast and not coming through the ball the way he should be.

Ozga said the results were instant.

"It was a little tough for the first couple of days because I was so used to going back faster on my backswing," Ozga said. "But once I got used to slowing it down, I noticed a difference the first time out (on the course).

"Slowing down has really made a difference as far as keeping the ball in the fairway and staying out of trouble."

Ozga won the Abbey Springs Invitational earlier in the season and finished second at the Rock Valley meet. He was named the conference Player of the Year on the fact that he had the lowest nine-hole scoring average of 38.5.

In the sectional meet at Yahara Hills in Madison, Ozga shared medalist honors with a par 72. He also was co-medalist with a 1-under-par 70 in the regional at Grand Geneva.

Although Ozga was three under after five holes at the sectional meet, he said a double-bogey on the seventh hole and a par on No. 8 were the keys to the round.

"After I doubled seven, I made a long par putt on No. 8, and that kind of calmed me down and got me straightened out," Ozga said. "I think earlier in the yea, that double bogey might've really bothered me."

Ozga's home course is the Edgerton Towne Country Club, a course on which Steve Stricker grew up playing.

After playing 36 holes at University Ridge on Monday and Tuesday, Ozga will gear up for a busy summer schedule. He plans playing 15 tournaments this summer—including a number of junior tournaments.

"My goal coming into the season was to win conference and make it to state again," Ozga said. "Last year, I was kind of caught up in just making it to state. But this year I want to go up there and play well."

And at this point, there seems to be no slowing down Dan Ozga.