EFFINGHAM — Each of the last eight years has featured a member of the Hakman family on either the St. Anthony boys’ or girls’ golf teams.
Cara started the run in 2017. Nina followed. Alec was the last of the three, ending his high school career this past fall.
The sport plays a major role in the Hakman family.
“Growing up, the course felt like my second home,” Alec said. “My dad’s passion for the game is a huge reason my sisters and I all fell in love with it.
“I went with my parents to watch a lot of my sisters’ matches and now they come to watch me.”
Alec best described golf as his “passion.”
When you enter a program like St. Anthony’s, state championships are almost the norm.
The next wave of golfers that come through want to continue the legacy of classes before them.
Alec’s was no different.
“Seeing the success of the program motivated me to keep going,” Alec said. “I’ve been blessed to have so many great teammates these past four years that have set that bar higher, as well.”
Alec added that Bulldogs head coach Phil Zaccari, as well as his parents, have kept him focused.
“[Zaccari] holds us to a high standard and it makes us stronger — not just as golfers, but as Christian men,” Alec said.
All of that has essentially paid off. Alec will continue playing golf at the collegiate level, doing so at Danville Area Community College.
He said he’s been playing golf competitively for around the past 10 years, but doesn’t remember an instance where he didn’t have a club in his hand before that.
“I had a golf club in my hand as soon as I could walk,” Alec said. “I don’t think I’ve ever lost interest in the game — it’s always been my thing. I’ve played other sports throughout junior high and high school, but I’m just passionate about golf. If I’m not on the course, I’m hitting balls on the simulator in our basement or chipping in the front yard.”
Cara and Nina are just as happy for their younger brother.
Cara said, “I love watching Alec play because I know how much time he’s put into his game. He’s so passionate about golf and keeping the St. Anthony program going strong. It’s exciting to see his hard work pay off and it’s really cool that he’s carrying the same tradition that Nina and I were part of.”
Nina continued, “Alec always has a lot on his plate, but I love watching him do what he loves. Getting a front-row seat to watch Alec through golf over the past four years has given me a glimpse into what we got to see during my four years of high school.”
Like Alec, Nina and Cara also saw success in high school.
Nina was a part of the last girls’ golf team to place at the state tournament, when the team finished third in 2021.
Cara was on a team that made it to the state tournament once and won three regional championships.
Both had nothing but positives to say about the program as a whole.
“The golf program at St. Anthony has been a very successful program through the years. To be a part of a team with some of the kindest, funniest and most supportive girls for four years is something I will always cherish,” Nina said. “It’s a team sport with individual players who cheer each other on and celebrate the ups and downs with one another.”
“Playing for St. Anthony meant we were all working toward something bigger,” Cara stated. “We were a team and I made so many great memories during those four years. On top of that, golf taught me discipline, patience and how to handle pressure.”