Jon Schram left behind a Division 1 golf scholarship, and roommate Quentyn Carpenter (background) behind at Ball State University to come home. Schram transferred from Ball State this past winter to continue his golf career at Grace College. (File photo by Mike Deak)

WINONA LAKE – He grew up mere steps from campus, but it took Jon Schram several months to realize where home really was.

On the right path to a dream, his journey took a slight detour. And that bump in the road may have been one of the best things to happen to Schram. Rather than following the bright lights of Division 1 college golf, Schram decided to instead follow his heart and transferred after one semester from Ball State University to further his college experience, including golf, at Grace College.

Taking a chance on a Division 1 scholarship was a choice Schram thought would be best, and initially, the only way he felt he could attain his ultimate goal of professional golf. Following an outstanding career at Warsaw Community High School as well as several positive showings on the AJGA tours, Schram found himself on par with a scholarship to play for coach Mike Fleck at Ball State. He would be golfing against the premier college golfers in America, reuniting with former WCHS teammate Tyler Ostrom and rooming with Triton’s Quentyn Carpetner, who golfed against Schram during some epic state tournament showdowns.

While it all seemed the perfect mix at first, Schram found life in the faster lane very unsettled.

“I was constantly calling home to get through the day,” stated Schram, who noted bouts with anxiety were getting the best of him. “I played a round at Pebble Beach the day before a tournament, and the sun was setting along the bay, it was picturesque. You would think life couldn’t get any better. But I was a nervous wreck, thinking about tomorrow’s tournament. I just wasn’t comfortable.”

Schram would golf with the Cardinals through the fall, only to find he missed home more and more. While he enjoyed the team, the golf competition and the general thrills a college freshman has on campus, the lifestyle overall wasn’t working. Needing to fill a void in his heart where his Christian lifestyle was lacking, Schram found the BSU campus meetings at 11 p.m. for Athlete’s In Action and his 6 a.m. workouts with the golf team were not overlapping well.

“Socially at Ball State, I just didn’t fit in,” Schram said. “I needed a Christian atmosphere, and let’s be honest, Ball State is a pretty crazy place on Friday and Saturday nights. It’s a great atmosphere for a lot of people, and a great place to have a good time. It just wasn’t working well with me. Combined with the golf, the classes and having tournaments on the weekends, and I just needed a change.”

Schram, who grew up learning and playing golf at Raccoon Run Golf Course, sought the advice of course pro and Grace College head coach Denny Hepler. Having starred for WCHS, Schram wasn’t a stranger to Hepler, who opened a spot for the eventual transfer to take place.

“I have known Jonathon since he was 10 or 11 years old,” began Grace College head coach Denny Hepler, who is also the course pro at Raccoon Run just down the road from Grace. “He is progressing every year on a very professional pace. But it has taken tremendous work and commitment to big time junior golf. He will be a major addition to Grace College golf and the future of our program.”

Schram found his niche very quickly back home, where he stated, “My senior year (of high school) I didn’t even consider Grace. But over time while at Ball State, I realized that I’m better off here at Grace. But I wouldn’t have considered it if Denny Hepler isn’t coaching. He was always there for me growing up in the game, and this route is the right fit for me. I have no doubts or regrets.”

WCHS head coach Ben Barkey, who saw Schram help the Tigers to a 51-1 nine-hole team record in the past four years to help produce four NLC, three sectional and three regional titles, wasn’t surprised his former number one made the move.

“Hindsight being twenty-twenty, the conversations I had with him over the years make a lot of sense,” Barkey said. “While he was in the high school program, there were never any red flags. Every kid faces some kind of adversity. This was just the perfect storm in life events for him.”

Schram will miss Grace’s spring competition season due to transfer rules, but will be eligible to compete next year as a sophomore.