Senior golfer Braden Gable has grown up with a club in his hands, but his steady rise for the Duke High School boys golf team has come from the same traits he admires most in his biggest role model — hard work, patience and helping others succeed.
Gable said his dad is his biggest inspiration because of the way he pursues his goals while still lifting up the people around him. That example has shaped the senior’s approach on the course and in the classroom, where his favorite subject is math and he points to science teacher Coach Chambless as his favorite teacher.
On the course, Gable leans on a reliable 52-degree wedge, which he calls his favorite club because it is the one he trusts most in pressure situations. He has poured much of his practice time into his short game from about 150 yards and in, knowing those shots, often decide scores in high school tournaments.
That work paid off in a big way when Gable fired the lowest round of his life, a 1-under 71, during a practice round with his teammates the day before a tournament. His favorite place to play is Altus Golf Course, a layout he knows intimately after growing up on its fairways.
Gable said athletics has taught him to stay calm and patient when it would be easy to get overwhelmed — a critical mindset in golf, where one swing can change a round. He enjoys competing for Duke not just because he loves the sport, but because he gets to share it with teammates he also calls friends.
In his free time, Gable keeps things simple, spending time with his family and, when he can, playing more golf. He grew up watching Tiger Woods and still lists him as his favorite golfer, drawn to the way Woods dominated the sport and inspired a new generation of players.
As his senior season continues, Gable’s calm demeanor, reliable wedge and team-first mindset have him poised to leave a lasting impact on Duke’s golf program.
