This year’s Norwalk High School’s golf captain is Seinor Austin Minoff. Austin was inspired by his dad, Jason. When Austin was around 5 years old, his dad was getting back into golf. Austin would tag along, which made him fall in love with the sport. Growing up a golf fan, Austin looked up to Rory McIlroy, who holds numerous PGA championships and Dubai titles, and Bryson DeChambeau, who has racked up 12 professional wins and is also a 2020 and 2024 U.S. Open champion. Both inspired him to stick with playing the game and gave him the desire to improve. Each year Austin worked hard to improve his game. Just like Happy Gilmore, Austin is a hockey player and uses Callaway golf equipment. Last year Austin was a member of the “STORMAC” hockey team, which is made up of Staples, Norwalk, and Brian McMahon students.
While playing nine holes at Oak Hills in Norwalk this past summer, Austin shot a thirty-seven on a par thirty-five course. Oak Hills is described as a challenging public golf course. It features numerous uphill and downhill shots, as well as numerous doglegs and water hazards throughout the course. At Fairchild Wheeler, Austin shot an eighty-four on a par seventy-two on the red course. Located in Fairfield, this course includes a number of blind holes, making it a difficult course to navigate.
Austin listens to music to get himself centered. While listening to Drake, he hones in on the putting green before each match. “Never let success get to your head and never let failure get to your heart”—Drake. This helps him get the rhythm down for the course. Another ritual is engaging in a friendly putting competition with Noah Lawrence, a senior at Norwalk High. This allows them to get in more practice while building a bond and having a great time with teammates. Austin has been friends with some of his teammates since kindergarten.
Norwalk High’s golf coach Anthony Gigliotti Admires Austin as a captain. Austin has been a part of the golf program for all four years he has been at Norwalk High. Over those years Austin has become a role model for the team. Coach Gigliotti says he is Dedicated, Responsible, Hardworking, Loyal, and a Leader. Coach Gigliotti says the decision was a “No brainer.”
Austin Said “The most rewarding thing I’ve accomplished as a golfer would be winning tournaments with my dad as my playing partner, because he was the one who got me into golf, so to be able to win with him by my side is definitely a really special feeling.” Austin Loves Playing with his dad and the feeling he gets to win by his side. That special feeling he gets, he brings to the Norwalk team also.
The definitions of “dad” and “captain” are similar. Austin speaks a lot about his dad. Dads are supportive; they provide guidance and are there to teach us. A captain is someone who leads by example and displays a positive attitude and is a mentor to their teammates. His teammate Noah, a friend since kindergarten, describes Austin as a leader, an encouraging teammate, and a smart and confident person who is very responsible. Those are traits he shares with his dad.
This year, Norwalk’s Golf team captain is setting the bar high. Hoping to repeat the feeling of winning with his dad Austin is trying to place well in the Chappa Invitational. The Chappa Invitational is a well-known, two-man, Connecticut high school, best-ball golf tournament. Another goal Auston wants to achieve is to make it to FCIACs.
