Nickolas Hett defeats dad to win golf championship
By Eric Clark
Sports Editor
Two weeks ago, Nickolas Hett did something most kids only dream about doing when he dethroned his father as the supreme sports being in the household — at least for a weekend.
Nickolas, a Marion High School senior, and an avid golfer, edged out his dad Aaron by a stroke to win the Marion Country Club Championship Aug. 23-24. By doing so, Nickolas also became the youngest golfer ever to win the event.
"I couldn't believe it," Aaron said. "I was pretty shocked. (My sons) have been trying to take me down for years. (Nickolas) kind of likes standing in front of my nose now and let me have it. I think he likes rubbing it in."
"I had to ask myself 'did it really happen,' " the MHS senior said. "(My dad) said it would be a while until I could beat him. He doesn't have that on me anymore."
After the first day of tournament, Aaron said he felt pretty good about the 72 he shot and was curious how the other golfers had performed. Little did he know, that his son had equaled the performance.
"Nickolas came home and Aaron said he shot a 72," Nickolas's mother Lanell said. "Nickolas said 'Somebody else shot a 72?' And his dad asked 'who?' Nickolas said 'I did.' "
The 72 Nickolas shot was a personal best.
Heading into the final day of the tournament, it looked as though Nickolas would be left behind. The battle between Jerry Hess and Aaron took center stage. But after Hess fell behind, Nickolas made a surge and grabbed back-to-back birdies to close within a shot of his dad on the seventh hole.
On the final hole, Nickolas knocked in a chip shot to take a one-stroke lead — his dad was left with a six-foot putt to tie and force a playoff. But Aaron missed the shot.
"I wanted him to make the shot, and I felt bad for him, but the competitiveness in me was hoping he'd miss," Nickolas said. "It's all in good fun. He's taught me everything I know."
"I'm real proud of him," Aaron said. "They've (Nickolas and his brother Travis, who also competed in the event) learned from me, and their games are a lot like mine."
Despite Nickolas's win, Aaron remains optimistic and told his son to savor the victory.
"He said I won't get another one," Nickolas said.
