Senior profile: Clark Granum

Clark Granum’s departure marks the end of one of the most storied careers in the history of Columbia’s athletic department. Over the first three years of his tenure, Granum led the team to three consecutive Ivy League Championships. This year marked the end of the streak, but a large portion of the loss can be blamed on Yale’s incredible performance on the final day of the tournament. The Light Blue finished the tournament in second, with Granum placing in the top 10 and earning all-Ivy honors for the fourth time in as many years.

Granum came from Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, Calif. as a highly touted recruit. He did not disappoint in his first year—he was able to take third place individually while leading Columbia to its second Ivy League Championship in program history. Granum continued to be a strong contributor, finishing fifth and helping the team win its second consecutive league title. The third year showed Granum’s strongest individual performance at the championships—he took the final round into a one-hole playoff, falling just short of the individual Ivy title.

This year, Granum led the team in scoring average and was able to finish in the top 20 on seven different occasions. His consistent strong play and leadership skills will be sorely missed next season, but the team will be more than ready to compete at high level despite his graduation.

While younger players will become the new faces of the team, the graduating seniors are irreplaceable.

“Every kid that comes into this program is not replaceable—you just get new players,” head coach Rich Mueller said.

Mueller also stressed the impact that Granum and co-captain senior Justin Lee have had on Columbia golf.

“Both Justin and Clark have left such an important mark on our program,” Mueller said.

Following his graduation from Columbia, Granum plans on returning to warmer pastures in San Diego, where he has already begun looking for jobs.

QUESTIONS FOR THE ATHLETE:

Advice for the team for next year: “The best three moments were the last day of the Ivy League tournaments for the past three years, when we won. If I have to pick the best one it had to have been the first one. It was new to me, so it was the most fun. Not to say that the next two were any less fun—I just think the first one is always the best.”

Best team moment: “Stay focused. It’s a long season—you have to not get tired and just stay focused in every tournament. Keep your mind on the goal, which is always winning the Ivy League Tournament. As long as you keep your head on winning that tournament you always have a good chance.”

Parting words to the coach: “It was a pretty amazing experience for four years, to grow with the same person the whole time. It’s pretty rare that a coach stays for an athlete’s whole time, which is really cool. It was definitely fun winning three tournaments under the same person.”