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IllustrateD volume 24, issue 5 93 f allows him to do the things he's done. And he's a great kid, talented kid." Bradley has brought a more laid-back approach to the men's program, but one that focused on continued improvement. With a young squad made up with sev- eral freshmen and sophomores, Schenk's leadership has been key to the Boilermakers earning a national ranking as high as No. 28. "You need a leader to sometimes call out his team- mates from time to time," Bradley said. "Even in a sport like golf, sometimes it is more important to hear it from their teammates than from me. Adam has been really good with that." Schenk believes this Purdue team has the ability to do well at both the Big Tens and NCAAs. He's aware of the fact that the program hasn't won a Big Ten crown since 1981 but thinks that doesn't mean much. Schenk is also aware of Purdue's proud tradition in men's golf, having won the school's first NCAA title in any sport in 1961 and having dominated the conference with 11 titles in 22 years from 1950-71. "We expect to win when it comes to crunch time, we have the talent," Schenk said. In terms of his future after his Purdue eligibility is exhausted, Schenk hopes to make his way to a career in professional golf. "He has all the tools to be successful at the next lev- el," Bradley said. "He has the disposition, the physical skills, the work ethic." But one thing he won't have by the end of the spring season is his degree from the Krannert School of Man- agement. Schenk plans to finish that up in the fall. To be sure, it's another goal, this time set by his mother. And the directive from mom is simple. "If I don't get my degree, she will kill me," Schenk said. Now that's setting a goal. j Schenk'S conSiStency Model Here are Adam Schenk's career numbers at Purdue. He has finished in the top 20 in 60 percent of the tournaments he's played. Events Rds. Strokes Avg. Par or better Top 10/20 Best Finish 45 131 9590 73.21 49 17/27 1 ley's role is to help his guys manage their game both on and off the course. "When you are hitting a shot, you almost have to think of the team first," said Bradley, talking about his role for preaching the team aspect of college golf. "When you hit a shot in the water in a team tour- nament it affects the whole team. So getting guys to make smart decisions and putting the team first is obviously really important, despite golf being an individual sport." Schenk thinks the players' coach mentality of Bradley is important to the team holding it togeth- er down the stretch. He likes that pleasant, practical approach to the team aspect of the sport. "One thing coach tells us is that if you are a ball carrier just try and make as many birdies as you can," Schenk said. "If you are not playing well, he stresses just trying to go out there and make a few birdies and just try to help the team as much as pos- sible. He emphasized keeping your score manage- able even if you're not doing your best, and he has the experience in the game that we as players know he has been there in good times and bad." Bradley says his goal is to win championships at Purdue. He knows it has been decades since the men's team has been consistently in the conversa- tion for league and national crowns. But, he also knows with the women's program's recent success that high-caliber team golf is an expectation at Pur- due. "All we have to do is go down the hall and look at all the women's trophies to know that is what we are supposed to be all about," Bradley said. "It's a con- stant reminder that it can be done here." — Alan Karpick