Austin brothers ‘bring golf’ as Rose Hill pursues 4A title

As Rose Hill golfers Parker and Peyton Austin ponder a question about their famous father’s influence on their games, the candid truth that has long been a staple of PGA Tour Champions veteran Woody Austin’s persona unfurls.

“Actually, now, we’re both just finally deciding to listen to him,” said the elder brother Parker, aware of the humor in his statement but still unrelenting. “We’ve been stubborn.”

It’s a sentiment Peyton can run with, and he doesn’t hesitate to chime in.

“We didn’t really start paying attention until probably last year,” said Peyton, a sophomore who helped Parker and their teammates finish second in Class 4A last season. “We were like, ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about.’

“But as we’ve grown up, we realize he’s a professional. He knows what he’s talking about. Start listening a little more.”

The Austin brothers and three of Parker’s senior classmates – Ethan Aberg, Ryan Pfaff and Ryan Walker – hope to start building on last year’s success when they open the season Monday in the Andover Invitational. All five contributed in 2015 when the Rockets won a 4A regional title before finishing second to Buhler in the state tournament at McPherson’s Turkey Creek.

In addition to their knack for forthrightness, the Austins provide intangibles that contribute to the Rockets’ success, said coach Steve Siemens.

“They bring golf,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for 15 years and we’ve had some individual kids over that time who became good golfers.

“But these kids, they dress golf, they look golf, they are golf, they know golf rules, they know good golf habits. They’ve really helped create a good golf climate for our team.”

The Austins got to this point in different ways. Parker has been an athlete for all seasons, helping Rose Hill win its second consecutive Class 4-1A soccer title in the fall. Last month, the Rockets advanced to the Class 4A-I basketball tournament, where Parker scored 20 points in a quarterfinal loss to McPherson.

Meanwhile, Peyton has long been a golf devotee. He has an affinity for PGA Tour star Rickie Fowler’s apparel, and often spent past summers playing at Willowbend Golf Club – which his parents own – while Parker competed in soccer tournaments.

“Parker was doing a little bit of everything, which has made him a pretty well-rounded individual,” Siemens said. “That competitive nature has always been there.

“Peyton is just pretty upbeat most of the time. He can let a bogey wash off his back and go birdie the next hole.”

With Parker putting added emphasis on golf last year and Peyton shaking off some early-season jitters, the Rockets took off. Rose Hill didn’t have an individual medal winner at state, but Parker Austin and Walker shot 77s, while Peyton Austin and Pfaff carded 78s.

“I was really disappointed at the end of my sophomore year,” Parker said. “I made it my goal to help us get to state. There were a lot of nights when we stayed at practice until dark.”

This season will begin on the heels of a fun-filled spring break for the Austins. They took Pfaff along for a trip to California’s Monterey Peninsula, playing the famed Pebble Beach, Spyglass and Spanish Bay courses. Later that week, Woody Austin earned his first Champions victory at the Tucson Conquistadores Classic in Arizona.

Parker was supposed to caddie for his father, but a stomach ailment midway through the trip sidelined him and left the duties to Peyton. Peyton stood nearby in Sunday’s final round as his father holed a pivotal bunker shot for eagle on his way to the victory.

“He’s definitely a big part of how we’ve gotten to where we are, how we have the talent we have,” Peyton said. “I can’t thank him enough for that.”

This story was originally published April 2, 2016 at 3:44 PM with the headline "Austin brothers ‘bring golf’ as Rose Hill pursues 4A title."