Luke Muller’s golf career is idling, but not for long. He has an important outing coming up this weekend and a club championship to defend next year while shooting for a city title and a Northern Kentucky crown.
As for this year, the 22-year-old recent Northern Kentucky University graduate and former Highlands High School all-state standout played often and played well. His summer culminated with elimination at this year’s PGA Tour Q-School, the high-stakes qualifying gauntlet for aspiring pros.
“I tried the Korn Ferry Q-School, and I didn’t get through,” Muller said. “That was really the only thing I had on my mind. I’m kind of waiting on my next opportunity to play.”
While he waits, Muller is aiming for a volunteer or assistant coaching position for his old team, the NKU men’s golf squad. He remains a fixture on the Greater Cincinnati golf scene.
Muller tied for 11th at the 2025 Northern Kentucky Amateur Championship. He reached the round of 32 at the Tony Blom Metropolitan. He ranks 19th in the GCGA player of the year standings — a testament to his consistency despite the Q-School setback.
During his senior season at NKU, Muller won the Horizon League Sportsmanship Award. He was named second-team All-Horizon League. Muller posted four top 10 finishes, including seventh at both the Mesquite Desert Classic and Murray State’s The Buddy.
With college in his rear-view mirror, Muller plans on remaining active in regional tournaments and club championships, including at his home course, Highland Country Club in Fort Thomas. He won his fourth straight Highland club championship in July. Muller expects to compete for a fifth in 2026. He also expects a return to Q-School.
On Thursday, he was back at Highland for a casual round with friends. “Always good to get out there and make sure everything’s working,” said the 6-foot-6 golfer, whose long limbs demand extra attention to swing mechanics.
Golf isn’t the only thing Muller monitors closely. As a cancer survivor, he maintains a disciplined regimen. This includes watching his diet, training regularly and making annual visits to Cincinnati Children’s Cancer Survivorship Center to ensure his lymphoma remains in remission.
“I make my next visit sometime this winter,” he said. “It’s more of a check-in now.”
Muller’s diagnosis came in 2007, when he was just a preschooler. What began as a suspected chest cold turned out to be lymphoblastic lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A tumor had pressed against his trachea, triggering emergency intervention. He spent a month hospitalized and endured two years of chemotherapy, followed by three years of scans and blood work. Eventually, he emerged cancer-free.
Young Luke Muller with his golf club while recovering from cancer. Photo provided | Muller family
“I couldn’t have done it without the help of so many people,” he said. “It’s no big deal now going back to the doctor. They mostly just want to know what I’m doing and how I’m feeling.”
Muller’s spirit of gratitude fuels the annual Luke Muller Golf Outing, now in its 19th year. The event returns Saturday at Kenton County Golf Courses in Independence. It’s raising funds for cancer patients Addi Dalton and Jeff Krohmer.
“We’re happy to play a small part in a big operation,” said Kenton County general manager David Peru. “I couldn’t speak higher about the people who organize it.”
The event is fully booked with over 300 participants. It begins with a 10 a.m. shotgun start. The $125 entry includes golf, lunch, games, a live auction and a lively after-party. All proceeds benefit Dalton and Krohmer.
Those who missed the registration deadline can still join the outing by participating in the auction and the after-party which will include a split-the-pot and a raffle for prizes.
Kenton County assistant pro Landon Finn golfed at Boone County High School and Thomas More College. He knows all about Luke Muller and his outing.
“It’s on our golf calendar every year and one of our biggest events,” said Finn, one of Muller’s golf buddies. “Obviously, it’s for a great cause.”
Addi Dalton. Photo provided | Luke Muller Golf Outing
Addi, 16, was diagnosed in January with myxopapillary ependymoma, a rare spinal cord tumor. Surgeons removed part of the seven-inch mass, and she underwent six weeks of proton therapy. She now receives quarterly MRIs and weekly physical therapy to maintain strength and mobility.
Jeff Krohmer. Photo provided | Luke Muller Golf Outing
Jeff’s battle began last October with a diagnosis of HPV-related throat cancer. After chemotherapy and radiation failed, the cancer spread to his tongue. In March, he underwent major surgery to remove affected tissue and reconstruct his mouth using a skin graft from his leg. The procedure was a 98% success, but his recovery includes ongoing scans, treatments and therapy to regain speech and swallowing.
The message to Addi and Jeff: No one fights alone.
“This is just one way to help them out,” Muller said. “They’ve been through a lot.”
He would know. For the budding pro, the effort continues — on the golf course, in the clinic, in the community and through every swing played for someone else. On Saturday, the community will swing with him.
For more information about the Luke Muller Golf Outing and how to donate, visit lmgo.org.
HIGHLANDS GOLFER GOLDEN A FIRST-YEAR EVANS SCHOLAR
Oliver Golden is honored at Highlands High School. Photo provided | Highlands athletics
Recent Highlands graduate Oliver Golden is a first-year Evans Scholar at Miami University. He’s pursuing a finance major in the Farmer School of Business and participating in the Honors College. Golden is the first student in Highlands history to receive the prestigious award. It honors youth caddies for excellence in academics and character with financial need and a strong caddie record. Golden, 18, earned a full housing and tuition scholarship valued at over $125,000.
A National Honor Society member at Highlands, Golden was also a four-year varsity golfer and five-year swimmer. He helped lead the Bluebirds boys’ golf team to four state tournament appearances. He twice placed in the top five at the KHSAA Region 8 championship. Golden is also a tournament winner on the GCGA’s 1905 Junior Tour. He once aced a hole at Losantiville Country Club.
Golden has caddied at Maketewah Country Club in Cincinnati since age 15. He has worked with elite players including PGA member Brendan Valdes. Golden’s journey began with First Tee and parental support. He’s one of over 1,100 Evans Scholars nationwide. The Western Golf Association selected 23 Ohio caddies this year, with Golden among the most distinguished.
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