If it's spring or summer, or even fall, chances are you'll catch Bob Dushatinski swinging something for Auburn High School.

Whether a baseball bat or a golf club, the incoming junior has had success on the field and the links.

Recently, Dushatinski finished tied for 10th at a Junior PGA tournament at Cornell, and he is set to defend his title at the Bobby Hoey Golf Tournament that kicks off today at Highland Golf Club.

The 16-year-old is hoping for another successful tournament. Last year everything seemed to go his way, shooting a 75.

“I just couldn't hit a bad shot that day,” he said. “My putts dropped.”

The 2007 Bobby Hoey Tournament certainly wasn't the last time Dushatinski found success. At the beginning of the month, he competed with nearly 80 of the state's top junior golfers at the Robert Trent Jones Tournament. While he did extremely well, shooting a 78 in rainy conditions, Dushatinski was looking at the event as more of a mental challenge.

“My goal for that tournament was just to see how I'd play with all the talent that was around (the state) and how I'd cope with the pressure of playing with all the top golfers,” he said.

During the early spring, Dushatinski has to balance his time on the greens and on the diamond. A pitcher and third baseman who was moved up to the Maroons' Section III, Class AA runner-up squad last season, he has found a way to balance both sports.

“For baseball, I go to practice with the team and then in my free time all that I do is hit range balls to try to just get back into the golf swing and get that baseball swing out of me,” he said.

He does admit that if he had to choose, he would probably stick with golf. Not necessarily because he likes golf more, but because it could open up more opportunities in the long run.

“I have a chance to go to college for golf and maybe even going beyond,” he said. “For baseball I really think high school will be the end of it.”

Tony Locastro, Auburn's former golf coach who retired after 26 years last spring, believes Dushatinski has a bright future.

“The last couple of years he's had a good work ethic,” he said. “Before and after golf practice he always wants to hit more balls on the range. He constantly wants to improve his skills as a golfer.”

With a trip to the state qualifier under his belt, Dushatinski is hoping for more this fall. It's been a while since an Auburn golfer other than Ryan or David May has advanced deep into the state tournament, and Dushatinski would like to make his own run. He has already advanced to the state qualifier.

“My goal is to fill the role of one of the May brothers,” he said, adding that he'd like to thank John Lombardo, Tony Biata and his dad, Ron, for their support. “I'd like to continue that Auburn talent and have the other teams worrying that they still have a threat in the league.”