This season, NIU senior men’s golfer Felix Krammer has shown he can compete with the best. But Krammer’s known that since his days as a second-grader in Waakirchen, Germany.
“When I realized I was good at it (golf) was probably when I got into elementary school, like second grade,” Krammer said. “You start competing with the guys around you – like around Munich – and I realized I was better than most of them.”
His introduction to the sport came during his infancy, when his parents sat him next to the green with an array of colored golf balls.
“They took me to a golf course when I was a baby and they always told the story,” Krammer said. “They set me next to the green when I couldn’t walk and gave me like four or five colored balls. Then as soon as I could stand and walk – when I was like two and a half – they gave me a broken club from my dad.”
COMING TO AMERICA
Krammer moved overseas three years ago, spending his first two years in Jonesboro, Arkansas, before moving to DeKalb. Upon entering America, Krammer swiftly faced the harsh reality of playing golf in the United States.
“The biggest challenge was probably the difficulty of the courses over here (in America),” Krammer said. “It’s just a completely different kind of golf. It’s like, if you play at Rich Harvest Farms (NIU’s home course), the greens are firmer, faster and the layout is more narrow. You have to hit the ball longer.”
Aside from the golf course, moving to a foreign country meant adapting to a different culture.
“You’re also in a completely new environment,” Krammer said. “You have college all of a sudden, which is different from school. You’re in a different language speaking country, so you got to adapt to that.”
SENIOR YEAR SUCCESS
This season, Felix rose to the top of the Huskies’ lineup, leading the team in multiple categories. Krammer leads the team in stroke average with 72.267 and also marked NIU’s lowest round score – a score of 64 in the first round of the Badger Invitational.
“I’d say the Wisconsin tournament, the Badger Invitational,” Krammer said in regard to which performance he is most proud of. “I finished second there, shot eight-under (par). I think I tied the record of the school program and it’s kind of special to me.”
Krammer pursued by finishing second overall at the Badger Invitational, guiding the Huskies to their sole fall victory. In the process, Krammer matched NIU’s 18-hole scoring record.
“Last year, I played that course for the first time and I finished fourth and it was like, ‘wow, it was my best finish ever in a college tournament,’” Krammer said. “And then getting back there this year and being able to perform on an even higher level, I was just like, it shows that my golf is going in the right direction.”
Since joining the squad last fall, Krammer’s rich golf history has elevated the program.
“Felix, you know, came from a strong national program in Germany and then to take his first two years at Arkansas State (University),” said NIU men’s golf head coach John Carlson. “I got Felix here on campus and he was already a mature athlete, a good mind on the golf course.”
Carlson, who is going on his second year coaching Krammer, noted how Krammer has assumed a leadership role, impacting the team beyond his tournament scores.
“He’s classy, he’s professional, he’s prepared,” Carlson said. “He’s a really mature 23-year-old and his leadership skills have really come through. This year, he’s had the opportunity to have four young guys come into the program and be someone that they turn to.”
NIU added four freshmen in the fall: Conner McCall, Beau Petersen, Jack Mulligan and Patrick Raupp. Since their arrival, Krammer has pushed the group and assisted them in the early stages of their career.
“He’s, for sure, an awesome teammate,” Petersen said. “He’s always got a smile on his face and I mean, even when he is playing bad, he is still trying to push you.”
IRON SHARPENS IRON
Beyond his leadership role, Krammer has also grown close to fellow senior Ben Sluzas. Sluzas is NIU’s second-leading golfer by a slim margin, accounting for competitive practices between the teammates.
“Felix is a great guy and also a great player,” Sluzas said. “(He’s) one of the best drivers in college I’ve ever seen and I admire that from him. And I think together, we really pushed ourselves the last two years to try to be the best we can.”
The two often compete head-to-head in practices, which can get quite competitive.
“I’d say probably still Ben (Sluzas) from last year,” Krammer said in regard to who won more 1-on-1 matches against each other. “But this semester, in the times we’ve played, I’ve been beating him pretty comfortably.”
LOOKING BEYOND COLLEGE
As for his goals post-college, Krammer plans on playing golf professionally. As for where he will spend his time post-college, that aspect remains uncertain.
“I definitely want to play professional golf,” Krammer said. “I’m kind of still on the fence if I want to go home or not. Obviously, playing over here is tougher because the field and competition is bigger, but also the chances of earning more money and making your way up here (America) is better than Europe.”
Krammer and the rest of the Huskies have finished the fall season, but resume play Feb. 24 at the Lake Las Vegas Invitational. The tournament is one of six tournaments leading into the 2025 MAC Championship.
