Get to know Joey Batliner, BHS golf team

When you have team goals like making it to state again and finishing as one of the state's top teams again, it takes a lot of talent. The Barrington golf team is fortunate enough to have a lot of talent and that includes senior Joey Batliner.

Batliner sat down with Barrington Suburban Life Contributor Tim Sieck for this week's In Their Life profile.

Sieck: When did you first realize you were a good athlete?

Batliner: I am the fourth of six children, so I grew up always playing sports with my brothers and sisters. I started to play golf when I was eight years old and it used to be a fun third sport for me. When I was about 12 years old, I figured I could actually be good at this sport.

Sieck: What has been your proudest individual moment on the golf course?

Batliner: I would have to say making it to the IHSA state meet as a junior. I had to compete in an eight-man playoff to advance and I made some clutch putts during the playoff to advance.

Sieck: What has been your proudest team moment?

Batliner: My proudest team moment has to be when we won conference as a team last year.

Sieck: What are your post-high school plans?

Batliner: I'm not sure whether or not I want to play golf in college or just concentrate on a business major. I would love to attend a Big Ten school.

Sieck: What are your goals this season?

Batliner: One of our goals this year is to make it down to the state meet as a team. We also have smaller goals like to win all of the nine and 18-hole matches. But, our biggest goal is to place in the top two at state. If we can keep everyone healthy and continue to shoot well, we have a good shot at it.

Sieck: What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you on the golf course?

Batliner: I was golfing at the state meet and had a 20-foot putt and I four putted. I guess the nerves of being there got to me a bit and so this year I've been practicing putting a lot so I don't have a repeat of that.

Sieck: Who have been your mentors and role models?

Batliner: My mentor has been my older brother, Jason Batliner. He has helped me a lot in my golf career. He has helped me with my mental game, which is a big part of golf. We caddied together at Wynstone and he loves golf as much as I do, so he would give me a lot of tips that helped my game.