Who We Are: David Laskin
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"I strive for excellence in everything I do. No shortcuts. Getting good grades and getting good results on the course are what I want."
David Laskin
Sport: Men's Golf
Major: Finance
Hometown: Elk Grove, Calif.
David Laskin, the man with 140 career rounds to his credit and one of the best scoring averages in Arizona Men's Golf history, has a pretty simple approach when it comes to his game.
"If you're in the fairway, it's a lot easier to compete," Laskin said with a smile.
Truer words have never been spoken. But for Laskin, the strategy in golf also applies as an effective metaphor for the classroom. The two-time First-Team Pac-12 All-Academic selection will complete his finance degree next year with a minor in global business and a GPA that currently sits at 3.699.
Laskin's tremendous academic success can be traced back to his very simple golf strategy. It's easiest to succeed in the classroom when you put yourself in the best possible place to succeed. Walking into a classroom for an exam having prepared the proper way is like hitting a seven-iron from the middle of the fairway.
Good results will likely follow.
"My parents have a high standard for how we go through our academics and athletics," Laskin said. "I strive for excellence in everything I do. No shortcuts. Getting good grades and getting good results on the course are what I want."
It's what he's gotten, too. Laskin, whose season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will return next year for his fifth season. When he returns, he'll do so with a scoring average of 72.53, which ranks eighth-best in program history. He has never missed a round in his three-plus seasons for the Wildcats and has been a picture of consistency.
All the while, Laskin's performance in the classroom has been equal to or perhaps even better than his play on the course.
The Elk Grove, California native said he has a thirst for information that is pertinent to things he's interested in. He really enjoys learning about finance and wants to gain as much information as possible. Doing extra studying and preparation isn't work for Laskin, it's part of his approach to land in the fairway.
Something else that helped Laskin consistently land in the fairway in terms of classroom success is the help of C.A.T.S. Academics. The senior said C.A.T.S. specifically helped him lay the groundwork for a successful collegiate career as a scholar.
"Early on, having the tutoring and study hall was very important," Laskin said. "I always had help with C.A.T.S., but especially that first year. It helped me manage my time for the rest of college. They are also a great resource when it comes to picking the best classes for me."
Laskin has 15 more credits to go to achieve his degree and will be back in Tucson for the 2020-21 school year to finish. While he's excited to complete his degree, Laskin is also giddy about the potential of his team.
The Wildcats will return three seniors in Laskin, Briggs Duce and Brad Reeves, who all decided to return for their extra year of eligibility. Arizona also returns Trevor Werbylo, who led the team in scoring average each of the past two seasons.
Laskin could have pursued professional golf, but will put that on hold to complete his collegiate career and his degree.
"I realized that professional golf is going to be there for me, but college golf is over when it's over," Laskin said. "Having that fifth year to get better and work really hard to compete; it's going to be really special. This past year, we were having a good year, but I really believe we were just scratching the surface. Our entire starting five is coming back, and we know we can win a lot of tournaments and play really well in the postseason. I'm excited to get competing."