Kenosha native makes history for Wisconsin Badgers golf
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin Badgers golfer Cameron Huss' dreams of making his first NCAA Championships were nearly dashed.
In what turned into a five-hole playoff in the West Lafayette Regional, his second shot landed in the water.
"Honestly, the first thing that went through my mind is, that's how my career ended," said Huss, the Wisconsin senior.
Not quite. Instead, he recovered and needed to sink a putt on the final hole to punch his ticket - and he did.
Cameron Huss
"It's kinda one of those things as an athlete when you get into a zone, you're not really thinking about it and kinda just got into the putt and rolled it in and thought about it afterwards when I came back down to reality," said Huss.
Reality for the Kenosha native now is that he is the first Badger to compete in the NCAA Championships since 2008. This will only be the seventh time in program history Wisconsin is in the final tournament of the season.
"This is about as good as it gets. Especially representing this university. It's an honor," said Huss. "Being from Wisconsin. Grew up a Wisconsin fan, it means everything. It was always a dream in high school. I don't think I got this far in my dreams."
The senior has two individual titles this season, the first of his career. He's set career lows all season long and his 54-hole low at 201 is second all-time in program history.
"It just makes me feel like I've left everything out there," said Huss.
"This year, I think, has probably been the best in school history," said Mike Wilson, who has been the Badgers golf coach since 2021.
Mike Wilson went to the NCAA Championships in his last season as head coach with University of Alabama at Birmingham and hopes more history is coming. While this year's tournament is at a first-time venue for college golf, the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in California, he thinks Huss can handle the championship pressure.
"He's been in so many pressure situations and he's answered it every time. Won a playoff this summer, won the state open and then this playoff, going five holes and winning it. I think he can handle any situation," said Wilson.
Huss believes he's a fighter and a competitor and is ready for the tournament field.
"First thing is going to be to have fun. Know for sure this will be the last go-around," said Huss. "I'm always going in to compete. Always trying to win, that's the expectation, that's the goal."
The tournament runs from Friday, May 24 to Wednesday, May 29. Huss is one of six individuals who have qualified and will compete against 30 teams. Following 54 holes of stroke play, the top 15 teams and nine individuals advance to one last round of stroke play.
Cameron Huss