Ramstein sophomore Michael Schmiedel celebrates after finishing the second round of the 2025 DODEA European golf championships on the No. 9 hole on Oct. 17, 2025, at Woodlawn Golf Course on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Michael Schmiedel faced some major culture shock when he first moved to Ramstein last summer.
The sophomore and his family, including parents Dirk and Lyndsay, had lived in Japan for 10 years prior to the move. Schmiedel admitted to struggling with the change of scenery.
He found his place as a member of the Royals golf team, which made him feel at home.
“Without community, you’re really just a loner. I feel like the people around me helped build me up,” Schmiedel said.
“The main struggle last year was still getting settled in, but this year, I was able to make my footprint – more friends. That definitely made it easier to succeed.”
Oh, did he succeed.
Schmiedel took the DODEA European golf scene by storm in his second season. He posted the best average during the playoff tournaments at 41, and he collected the individual European crown with a total of 80 points under a modified Stableford scoring system at the Woodlawn Golf Course on Oct. 16-17.
That individual title was Ramstein’s third straight, and Schmiedel helped his Royals cruise to their fifth consecutive team championship.
His performance throughout the season earned Schmiedel Stars and Stripes’ 2025 boys golf Athlete of the Year honors.
Schmiedel credited his teammates for pushing him to be his best. With three Royals – Schmiedel, Tyler Hacker and Nolan Schmidt – in the top six places, they defeated second-place Kaiserslautern 206-150.
“It’s really competitive, but I also think it helps us come closer together,” Schmiedel said. “It’s a great atmosphere; it’s all family.”
Perhaps no one was more competitive with Schmiedel than Hacker.
Schmiedel entered the second day of the European tournament with a one-point lead over Wiesbaden’s Gunner Blackmon, but by the end of the back nine, Hacker was comfortably in second place. The senior posted a 40-point performance.
Only two players bettered Hacker’s Oct. 17 score. Lakenheath’s Tyler Korell (fourth place, 66 points) with a 41, and Schmiedel’s 42 points. Schmiedel parred 11 holes, including seven of the first nine.
Hacker finished second in the tournament with 71 points.
“I want to win so bad, and he loves to talk, try to get into your head,” Schmiedel said of Hacker. “Him being right on heels, trying to get in my head, that added a bit of pressure.”
Schmiedel said he didn’t handle that pressure well, but it didn’t show – either on his face or in his performance. He stayed nonchalant throughout until a little smirk as he walked off the final hole.
The Royal sophomore pointed to the influence of his early days on the links for that mentality. Schmiedel played against older golfers during competitions, and they imparted the lesson of not letting anything get under his skin, be it a bad shot or another competitor.
“I got to pick up some awesome things,” Schmiedel said. “They have a lot of wisdom to share, and that was a big part of me going on to succeed further down the road.”
Looking to the future, Schmiedel has an eye on repeating next year. His driver gives him an advantage, as he averages 300 yards off the tee – 30 or so yards father than most of his competitors.
If he wants to take the next step, though, Schmiedel explained how he must improve his short game. He said he struggled with chipping and putting during Euros.
If he can improve that side of the game, it might take him toward his goal: playing collegiately. He said his dream schools are in the Ivy League, but he’ll take any opportunity.
“I’d love to go D-I, that’s the main goal, but I love golf so much I don’t think it matters where I go,” he said.
