Storm’s DeVenney grows as a golfer

2019 BCR Male Golfer of the Year

Golf is unique among outdoor sports in that it is one that can be started at any age and played to any age. The skill you acquire, of course, depends on the time and effort put into the game.

A great example is the Bureau Valley Storm’s Trent DeVenney, the 2019 BCR Boys Golfer of the Year, who first picked up a club as a freshman and became a state qualifier as a senior.

“It’s really an honor,” DeVenney said. “Especially following Colt Novotny (2017 BCR Boys Golfer of the Year).”

BV golf coach Jack Gustafson has praise for DeVenney as well.

“It’s really hard to sum up how much Trent has grown over four years as a golfer,” he said. “He has gone from being a young kid trying the game to a very solid golfer in four short years.

“It’s been a lot of fun to watch. This is a well-deserved honor.”

DeVenney returns the favor to his coach.

“Jack’s been great for all four years, and I had him in junior high track (as well),” he said. “He’s been able to keep me levelheaded, because that’s how he always is. I really needed that.

“Sometimes I don’t want to hear it when I get upset, but he’s always right.”

DeVenney’s introduction to the sport was initially a matter of necessity.

“I was told I needed to do a fall sport (as a freshman), and football really wasn’t my thing, neither was cross country,” he said. “So golf it was.”

The Storm senior carried a 41.6 average through the fall season, placing fifth in the rain- and wind-filled Princeton Invitational and seventh at Kewanee’s Boiler Invite.

“I was shooting to break 40 consistently, but I had a rough start to the year,” DeVenney said. “Had some 47s and a couple of 43s, but by the end of the year, I was able to break 40 pretty consistently.”

“Trent was our captain this year,” Gustafson said, “and was a great leader for our team.”

DeVenney would go on to be named to the First Team Three Rivers All-Conference, then along with Storm teammate Bryson Smith, advance from the St. Bede 1A Regional, where he shot an 84, a score he would repeat at the Freeport Sectional.

“I started out at both a bit rough, but I turned it around on the back nine,” he said. “The biggest thing for me is when I start having issues, a lot of it comes from my short game running away from me. When you get tense or angry, it’s tough to bring it back.”

From the sectional, DeVenney qualified for the IHSA State Finals, where he tied for 49th place with a round of 84, but still considered his day a good one.

“He has accomplished a lot of his goals this year, ending with his trip to state,” Gustafson said. “Trent works as hard as any high school golfer I have ever seen. He just loves the game, and as a coach, that’s a combination you dream of.”

DeVenney plans to take his game to the college level next year, playing for IVCC.

The Trent DeVenney file

• BCR Golfer of the Year

• State qualifier

• First Team Three Rivers All-Conference

• 41.6 average

• Will play golf for IVCC