Topeka golfer returns home to to help with youth camp

TOPEKA (KSNT)- A former Washburn University golfer and Topeka native is giving back to his local community.

Andrew Beckler, a golf standout at Washburn Rural before joining the Ichabods from 2018-2021, played for head coach Jared Goehring in high school. Beckler returned to his roots alongside his former coach at Pure Golf Topeka, to volunteer at junior golf camp on Wednesday morning.

He could offer plenty of insight on specific golf skills but mostly hopes to instill a love of the game for the young Topeka athletes.

"If you don't love it, you're not going to buy into it." Beckler said. "It's really just about getting them to enjoy it themselves."

Beckler attended junior golf himself and has had help from prominent Topeka golfers before him like Gary Woodland.

"It means everything to me," he said. "This is where I fell in love with the game, doing junior golf. Goehring taught me junior golf so any chance I get to give back like the ones before me did I'm going to take that opportunity... There's tons of great golf swings out here... Just seeing them smile after a good one, dude, just lights me up. So it's awesome."

The former Junior Blue played in the U.S. Open in 2022 and is still traveling playing in tournaments just about all summer long while pursuing his next shot on the PGA Tour. He attributes much of his growth from his time spent with Goehring who says golf is for the long haul.

"The message that I give and continue to give under junior golfers is it's something that they're going to play for the rest of their life-- it's a lifetime sport," Goehring said.

Not many are rooting for Beckler more than his former coach.

"Just to see him grow up and continue to pursue his dreams and goals of playing professional golf, it just goes without question what it does for these little kids and gives them the hope and aspiration someday to be able to do the same thing," the WRHS head golf coach said.