OU golfer Reinertson has already accomplished big things

NORMAN — Rylee Reinertson might not be the biggest name among the golfers in the NCAA’s Norman Regional this week at Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club.

But Reinertson’s impact has already been big.

In the winter, the Oklahoma senior went to southwestern Oklahoma to meet with Nicholas Meraz, a fifth-grader at Elgin Middle School.

Like Meraz, Reinertson has hearing loss that requires hearing aids.

Also like Meraz, Reinertson was told to avoid contact sports because there’s a chance that a blow to the head could cause them to lose what hearing they have left.

“It was really special to go down and share my experiences and what I went through when I was younger,” Reinertson said. “Hopefully he learned something and can realize that it’s OK to be different than everyone else.

“I hope he enjoyed the time we had together because I know I did.”

Reinertson might’ve become a golfer even without his hearing difficulties. His brothers both played golf at Nebraska, and his father is a high school golf and basketball coach.

Rylee remembers getting his first set of plastic clubs when he was about 3.

That was around the time that Reinertson got his first set of hearing aids, too.

His hearing loss became noticeable before his second birthday, and though

no definitive cause was ever determined, there was worry about further damaging his hearing.

Both of Reinertson’s parents, Paul and Carolyn, played basketball at Kearney State College in their home state of Nebraska.

So they weren’t about to completely write off the chance that Rylee could play the sport as well.

They just needed an opening.

“Football was definitely a no,” Rylee Reinertson said. “I wasn’t sure on basketball because it’s still a contact sport, but it’s not really as physical so I was kind of worried.

“Thankfully the doctors said it’d be OK to risk it on my own.”

Carolyn was a little anxious, but the threat didn’t change the kind of player Rylee became.

“Mom would always tell me to be careful out there,” Reinertson said. “I’ve always been an aggressive player, so I’d just go out there and not really try to worry about it.”

He became one of the all-time scorers in Nebraska history, averaging 25.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 4.8 steals per game as a senior.

Communication was much more of an issue in basketball than it is with golf, though it was still only a minor impediment.

One time in his junior year, Reinertson was called for a technical for playing after the whistle, which Reinertson never heard.

But by the time Reinertson reached high school, it was apparent that golf was his top sport.

Last season, he was a team captain on the Sooners’ national title team and went 2-1 in the NCAA Championships’ match play.

This season has been a bit rougher for him.

He isn’t expected to be in the lineup for this week’s regional, instead serving as an alternate for the top-seeded Sooners.

“The only thing I can control is just trying to be prepared the best I can in case I do get the opportunity,” Reinertson said Sunday after his practice round.