Bickle keeps golfing tradition alive

by Lonnie McMillan
Staff Writer

Golfer Aaron Bickle, a product of Gallia Academy in Gallipolis, is taking a swing at keeping a strong golf tradition in southeast Ohio alive.

Bickle said friends introduced him to the game of golf when he was 11, but Howard Baker Saunders was his mentor.

"He kind of taught me and inspired me," Bickle said.

Saunders played golf collegially at Ohio State and in 1945 competed in the NCAA Tournament. He also golfed in an exhibition tournament against golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Dow Finsterwald - another southeast Ohio native.

Bickle has passed on the golfing talents he learned from Saunders to his brother, Brian, a senior at Gallia Academy.

"I kind of got him started," Bickle said. "But he does his own thing."

Bickle said his strengths are putting and driving, but Brian, who plans to golf at Ohio next year, has a different style.

While together, though, at Gallia, the two were part of a team that three times went to the state tournament. The team, however, never achieved a state championship.

"We were always around fifth or sixth in the state in Division II," Bickle said.

Bickle said his goal since his high school days has been to win.

"My goal, as everyone else's on goal on the team, is to win a tournament," he said.

Teammate Thomas Heiredal said Bickle's determination is prominent, and it is positive for the team.

"When he goes out there, he really wants to win," Heiredal said. "You need that spirit on the team. He's helping a lot that way. He's always good for a couple of good rounds. He's always helping the team out, and that's what we need."

Bickle said there are several areas in which he needs to improve to better benefit the team.

"I need to work on my irons," he said. "I need to work on my wedges, and I need to work on the mental aspect as well."

Bickle said the continuation of his golfing career when he graduates hinges on this improvement.

"If I improve, I'll keep playing," he said. "If not, I won't."

Bickle plans to go into some type of golf or insurance business after college.

But Heiredal said Bickle has the capabilities to become a good golfer.

"He definitely has the talent to become a good player," Heiredal said. "His short game is really good. He tends to play better when he is a little provoked. Sometimes he needs a little encouragement. Overall, he's definitely a solid player."