For Troy Nguyen, golf has never just been a hobby—it’s been a defining part of his life since he first picked up a club at age seven. Inspired by his older sister, a collegiate golfer herself, Troy began playing at The Orchards Golf Club, where his passion for the game quickly took root.

That early start has paid off in a big way. Troy has been a varsity golfer since his freshman year, earning a spot on the presitgious state “Super Team” as a sophomore. He has served as team captain since his junior year, leading by both performance and example. 

A scratch golfer (+1 handicap), he has consistently ranked among the top players in the state 

One of his most unforgettable moments? 

A rare hole-in-one on a par 4—also at The Orchards.

Looking ahead, Troy plans to continue both his academic and athletic journey at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, where he will study computer engineering. With the school located just outside of New York City, Troy is excited about the opportunities both on and off the course—and the possibility of continuing to compete in golf at the collegiate level.

DLS Varsity Golf Coach Mr. Dennis Koch, ‘94, says, “Troy is not one of the best golfers by mistake. It's simple. He grinds and grinds and grinds. He is one of the hardest working athletes I have seen in my career at De La Salle. His work ethic is what will make him successful not only in golf, but in life.”

“Troy has had an incredible career both in the classroom and on the golf course,” says Mr. Steve Schypinski, ‘06, who assists with varsity golf. “It's been an awesome four years getting to know Troy and watching him grow up into a very successful and motivated young man. The golf scholarship is well-deserved and a testament to his hard work and dedication to the game.”

Troy will graduate from De La Salle “summa cum laude,” with several Advanced Placement (AP) courses on his transcript:  AP U.S. History, AP Government.AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Microeconomics, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics, AP Psychology, and AP Literature and Composition. 

At De La Salle, Troy’s impact extends well beyond athletics. 

A first-year participant with the DLS DECA team, Troy and his junior partner were district champions (Buying & Merchandising) and advanced to the state level. 

Troy also serves as a leader of the Chess Club and is involved in the SAVE Club, demonstrating his well-rounded commitment to school life.

Troy attended Emmanuel Lutheran School before choosing De La Salle, drawn by its Catholic identity—even though he didn’t initially know anyone. 

Since then, he has built strong relationships and found mentors in teachers like Koch and Schypinski, as well as Mr. Joe Novak, ‘03, who teaches Math, and Mr. John Berlin, one of the DLS Theology teachers, who have helped shape his high school experience. 

The son of Vietnamese immigrants, Thanh and Kim Nguyen, Troy lives in Macomb and is a member of St. Isidore Parish. Outside of school, he works at a restaurant, managing online orders and gaining valuable real-world experience.

As he reflects on his journey, Troy offers simple but meaningful advice to underclassmen:

“Join a lot of activities and make friends.”

With a return trip to the state finals in sight, Troy Nguyen is leaving a lasting mark on De La Salle—both on the course and in the classroom. 

Schypinski said, “He is the definition of what being a De La Salle Pilot is all about.”