Junior Golf Rankings

Tell us about siblings

Have a brother who is in college majoring in military history and a sister who attends SCAD, Savannah College of Art and Design. They were not into sports like I am but that’s fine they are doing what they like.

Tell us a little about your golf. Of the four parts, driving, approach, short game, putting, which is your strongest and which gives you the most challenge?

I have been putting really well but if I think my driving.

Bob Rotella wrote a book “Golf is not a game of perfect” and he describes three factors for success;, Confidence, Composure, Concentration. Which do you feel you do well.?

I think from tournament play I have learned to keep level. It is one thing I learned from not just playing my home course all the time.

I heard a college coach once tell one of his recruits to always walk down the fairway with his head held up and his shoulders a little bit back so that nobody can tell how good he was playing. And he emphasized how that can also help your own attitude.

That’s true, that’s very true.

Do you like match play?

Yes, I love it. It’s entirely different obviously. When in match play I have said I want to play like stroke play, but you can’t. It is really fun and I enjoy it.

Music? Likes?

Mostly country. No particular style.

Movies?

Something easy to watch. Comedies, dramas…watching “Designated Survivor” now

Friend circle?

Mostly golfers since I am at the course almost every day.

Practice routine especially getting ready for a tournament?

On a regular basis, range for an hour, short game for an hour, putting for an hour, then lunch then play 9 or 18. For this course which I know, worked on putting because I knew how important it was. These are large greens so I practiced a lot of lag putting.

Instructor?

Andrew Lewis. He knows my game very well. He is out here this week and mostly watches my shot choice, not so much my swing.

Where would you like to go you have never been, to play golf or not?

New Zealand. It just looks amazing. Really cool. I am kind of an outdoor guy mostly mountains rather than beach. I’m hoping to see a rain forest at some point.

Which junior events would you like to win you haven’t?

Obviously this one, the US Junior and an AJGA Invitational. I think I have finished second 5 times. Kind of annoying (laugh).

Why Vanderbilt?

Coaches are impressive, I like Nashville as a city, great players there now, and their golf team house or facility is awesome.

What is one area of your game you would like to improve?

Driving. If I could hit it a little further I would take fairway bunkers out of play. USGA places a big emphasis on driving and I am playing the US AM too this year so, again, driving is key.

What is one thing people don’t know about you that you could share.

Golf was my 3rd sport when I was 13. I didn’t think I would ever be that good. I was better at other sports. But when we moved down here, golf became my interest.

Luke – thanks for the interview.

You’re welcome, I enjoyed it.

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