When you think of John Haug, at least in Roncalli Nation, the things that come to mind are loyalty, exemplary character, and sincerely caring for kids.
These are just a handful of reasons he has coached for as long as he has.
In fact, Haug begins his 40th year at the helm of the Roncalli golf team this spring.
“It’s great to be the Roncalli golf coach,” he told SeehaferNews.com. “I was hired by Jim Kersten (former athletic director). I’m grateful that he stuck with me as well as his successor, Dave Mueller, and current Athletic Director Nathan Kaderabek. I’m truly blessed and thankful that the school has kept me around for 40 years.”
Haug spoke about how his coaching career began.
“I went to college, came back and coached football and basketball for three years,” he recalled. “When the golf job opened, I decided to go for it and it’s been a great 40 years at the helm.”
Haug’s affiliation with Roncalli goes back more than 50 years. He played golf for the Jets in the early seventies, participating in the WISAA State meet in 1973 and 74.
Roncalli won the state title in ‘73 and finished runners-up in ’74. He also coached the Jets to WIAA State titles in 2009 and 2019.
Haug adds that he’s been blessed to coach at the State Golf Meet in Verona seven times in the last 15 years.
The successes have not come without their share of adversities, most notably the unpredictable spring weather, especially early in the season.
“I think one year of my 40 years, we were able to get outside on the first day of practice and hit balls. Otherwise, we’re confined indoors to hitting wiffle balls against the netting in the balcony and put in any available classroom,” he explained. “We’re hopeful to get outdoors a few weeks later and hit balls, then get to our home course (Branch) once it dries out and prepare to the best of our ability to start the season.”
Branch is the Jets’ home course.
Haug is hopeful that recent warmer weather will help dry out the course and they can get out there to practice before their home opener on April 21st.
This year’s team consists of eight players that are relatively inexperienced, but according to Haug, are eager to learn and have a genuine love for the game.
He also says that a strong “mental mindset” is a necessity to play the game of golf.
“One thing I’ve learned is that half of this game is mental,” he said. “You absolutely need to learn and understand that everything is not going to go your way, and you must move on to the next shot. Chipping and putting consistently are key to becoming a good player.”
That formula has obviously worked, with some tweaking here and there.
We asked Haug about it and the required specifics it takes to make it all work.
”I always give the kids a quiz after our first meeting,” he revealed. “I also tell them that if you play by the rules, and display great golf etiquette, you’ll always be a good golfer no matter the score. Stick with that philosophy and you’ll have fun playing this great game for the rest of our lives.”
Translated, his players become better people through golf, which helps them succeed in the bigger game of life.
As for how many years he has left Haug says, “I would love to coach another 40 years, but we know that’s impossible. I truly enjoy coaching kids and. I’ll hang around for as long as they will let me.”
