Golfer Stays Focused On His Game
The following article appeared in the October 14, 2007 edition of the Tribune-Review and features Joey D'Auria, a senior at Frazier High School, who uses services provided by IU1.
Golfer stays focused on his game
Golf team member Joey D'Auria, a senior at Frazier High School, drives with precision and putts well, his coach says. D'Auria plays the No. 3 position on the team. (Photo by John F. Brothers/Daily Courier)
The coach gestures and interpreters sign, but this deaf student just plays to win.
By Les Harvath
For the Tribune ReviewWhen Frazier High School junior Zach Lash is golfing in a foursome with senior teammate Joey D'Auria, he often admires D'Auria's level of concentration.
"Joey appears to be in his own focus zone, and his focus is above that of anyone else on the course," Lash said.
Sophomore teammate Nick Hawranko added, "For Joey, there are no distractions. In golf, not being able to hear may be an advantage."
D'Auria, who lives in Mt. Braddock, part of the Laurel Highlands School District, has been golfing since he was 11 years old. He has been deaf since birth. His parents, Patrick and Joann, are deaf, and deafness is in both families' histories.
When D'Auria was a freshman member of Frazier's golf team, his average score was in the mid-50s, coach Larry Mikesell recalls. Now, midway through his senior season, Mikesell sees D'Auria "as a steady player who generally plays in our No. 3 position and is only one or two strokes behind our No. 1 player."
(Continue reading the entire article at the Tribune-Review website.)
