Jake Schneider: Golf’s Elucidation of Life

EAST PEORIA — “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented.”

This quote represents the deep passion legendary golfer Arnold Palmer had for the game; golf was life. This philosophical viewpoint Jones expressed has been carried on by many of today’s golfers, including Illinois Central College golfer Jake Schneider.

Schneider is currently in the midst of his second season under Coach Bo Ryan and the Cougars. Although Schneider is only 19-years old he is the only sophomore on the team and has handled it with elegance. “I know my role on the team is to be a reliable source for leadership on and off the course,” said Schneider. “I like to have that added pressure on me, it helps me focus to the best of my abilities.”

This calm and collective composure traces back to Schneider’s first competitive tournament at the young age of seven. This early found passion that he grew up around has formed him into a confident and mature competitor.

“I have to thank my parents for getting me started in golf, and supporting me emotionally as well as financially throughout my life. They’ve set the bar high for me and it has made me a better person and a better golfer,” said Schneider. A mind-set like Schneider’s is rarely found in such a stressful sport like golf; it’s what separates the professionals from amateurs.

These rare qualities have led Schneider to several notable accomplishments in his golfing career. During his four years at Dunlap High School he was a two-time All-Conference, two-time All-State, along with an individual conference and regional title his senior year. This impressive resume attracted the attention of Coach Ryan and Schneider was offered a scholarship to take his golf skills to the collegiate level at ICC. Aside from the scholarship, the amazing facilities at ICC and Coach Ryan’s similar demeanor made Schneider’s decision fairly easy.

Coach Ryan’s perspective proved to be accurate as Schneider’s accolades transferred to ICC’s home course Quail Meadows. In his first outing at the NJCAA DII Regional Golf Tournament, Schneider showed tremendous poise contributing to his teams 2nd place finish and by finishing individually 1st overall.

Schneider will be defending his Regional title on May 4, but more importantly hopes to guide his teammates to a 1st place overall finish.

“I’ve had my moments on the golf course when I need to do something specific in order to win a tournament for our team, by shooting a good score. When those things work as planned, it’s the best feeling you can have in golf,” said Schneider.

The fact that Schneider possesses such an unselfish outlook on an individual centered sport like golf is remarkable. It isn’t left on the course after the 18th hole, this caring personality that Schneider has obtained through golf also exists in his day-to-day life. So even though Schneider is undecided on whether or not he will take his talents to a four-year school, he will never escape that engraved passion.