Dennis Koch, '94, is New Head Coach of DLS Varsity Golf

The De La Salle Varsity Golf team and its new head coach, Dennis Koch, ’94, are well on their way toward building a more competitive and developed environment for its golfers both on the course and off. 

“I am very honored and excited to be given the opportunity,” Koch said. “Our student-athletes are amazing. I hope that I can further develop them into better golfers and young men.”

Improving the strength of his varsity team is important for the new head coach; he and his assistant coaches have been encouraging players to condition and spend additional time with the school’s TrackMan golf simulator to yield a more productive and winning team. 

“I want to fully utilize our TrackMan,” said Koch, who had been the DLS assistant coach for the past eight years. “Its technology allows us to bring data into golf. We can use this data to really improve golf swings! We’ve also been doing weight training, stretching exercises, and have had more team activities. 

“It’s important to develop chemistry on the team and we’re already doing things to achieve that goal,” added Koch, who also serves as the school’s business teacher, DECA moderator, in addition to teaching as an adjunct economics professor at Macomb Community College. 

Dan Rohn, De La Salle athletic director, said, “Dennis brings great excitement and enthusiasm to our DLS golf program. The golf program at DLS has had success over the years, and our goal is to continue to improve the program and provide our athletes with every opportunity to compete at the highest level.  

“Knowing that Dennis is a Class of ’94 alumnus, who works every day in the classroom with our student athletes, with our teachers, and in our community, means he understands and will promote our Lasallian values and mission,” Rohn said.

A priority for Koch is to continue to develop his players at all levels. “That means to develop speed on the varsity level and golf course management at the JV level,” he said. “We want all of our kids to love the game.”

Nick Moore is one such player. “I am most definitely looking forward to this golf season,” said the senior. “Coach Koch, along with the other coaches, go out of their way to make sure we are improving as well as having fun.”

Moore appreciates the team bonding aspect as well. “Coach Koch has a way of bringing our team together, if it’s a team dinner to build relationships or to make us do morning workouts.” 

And, “One thing I’ve learned is that golf is a lesson on how to deal with unpredictable experiences,” said Moore. “Coach Koch tells us not to get in your head too much. Some days you will play great; some days you won’t. It’s how you react.”

Assistant Coach Steve Schypinski, in his third year of coaching golf at De La Salle, has high expectations for the team as well. “I hope to win a state championship,” he said. “We have a couple kids at the top who are very, very good, and we have a lot of depth around them to round out the team. I’m excited about seeing how all the hard work in the weight room and simulator translates to the golf course.”

Koch is also looking forward to witnessing its added benefits, especially from the simulator. “That's been priceless,” Koch said. “How many other programs in the state have a simulator that they can use seven days a week? Our players are there every day.  We have some of our players working on their swings, others are working on course management, while others are working on swing speed.”

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The workouts are an important part of the program, as well. “The workouts add flexibility, core strength and endurance,” Koch explained. “These things help with our golf swings, but also know that the workouts also help with focus and concentration. Athletic stretching and hip mobility help with some relaxation, which can help our mental game. What is underrated in all of this is that it can help with the team aspect. 

“It's building camaraderie and commitment,” he added.

Both Moore and Jolet believe that the extra effort has been extremely productive for them. 

“I really feel like the additional simulator time has helped me improve my game,” Jolet said. “After watching all of my teammates, I can tell you it's the same for them as well. We are really excited about the improvement we were able to make during the off-season to be more competitive when the weather warms up. 

“Overall, Coach Koch has done a great job preparing us,” Jolet said.

Koch is more than ready for the season, too. “On the course, our goal is to win a state championship, period. Off the course, it is very important for us to be leaders in the community, grow as a team, and also achieve academic excellence.”
 

Dennis Koch, '94, is New Head Coach of DLS Varsity Golf
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