Teamwork Makes The Dream Work
Each year, the most outstanding collegiate golfer in the United States wins the Haskins Award, an award won by famous names such as Phil Mickelson, Justin Thomas, and Tiger Woods.
I dreamed of the Haskins Award as a college golfer at University of Akron, but as so many other college golfers, I seemed to toil in the middle amongst my peers. I admired those who could break through the masses and rise to the occasion to win and win again. I wondered, “what would it take for me?”
Even though the Haskins Award wasn’t in the cards, I still aspire to qualify for and compete in a USGA tournaments -- the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, or U.S. Mid-Amateur -- the mountain peaks of amateur golf and open events for any elgible golfer to compete with the best of the best.
In order to play in these most prestigious championships, it’s required to finish first or second in a local qualifier. These local qualifying tournaments are on the hardest courses under the most difficult tournament conditions.
Even today, my summer schedule revolves around these qualifiers. I’ll play extra practice rounds and do my research on courses that play to my games strengths, just for the chance to compete on the grandest stage of American golf.
Individually, I’ve played good golf in USGA qualifiers. After some 40 USGA qualifiers in my lifetime, I’ve made the top two spots six times. In each of those finishes, I was in a playoff to qualify. I lost the playoff in all six chances. Good golf just falls short.
Losing a playoff is devastating and enlightening all at once -- even though you’re grateful for the opportunity to make the one shot that punches your ticket, seeing the other guy do it instead feels more like a punch in the gut. But after it all, I’ve learned more about myself, my game, my tendencies under pressure, and my emotions than ever before.
So, what would it really take to get me to the big dance? Turned out, it was a new tournament with a new format introduced by the USGA in 2015 -- the Fourball, which requires two-person teams.
Putter, the Partner
In choosing a partner, I was fortunate to team up with a childhood friend and hometown golf rival -- the one who is appropriately nicknamed “Putter.”
Within our local social network, everyone wanted to know who was the better golfer, Putter or myself? Naturally, Putter and I turned this into constant competition. Every round and tournament meant a chance to outdo the other and bring back validated data points to the home front. Once Fourball was introduced, Putter and I knew this competitive spirit would make us a great team and a dangerous duo.
And we are.
Even though we had a couple unsuccessful attempts to qualify for the U.S. Fourball in our current hometown Chicago, Putter and I decided to play 2018’s qualifier in Chardon, Ohio at Sand Ridge Golf Club. Both from Ohio, we knew the course and had experience playing competitive golf in the area (home of my first couple playoff losses).
That day, we caught lightning in a bottle. Putter helped keep my negative thoughts at bay and we took inspiration from our lovable losers, the Browns, Indians, and the yet-to-be-champion Cavaliers.
The results? Putter lived up to his name and I drained a 50-foot putt on 17 that helped send us to the big dance. We posted a 10-under-par 62. Two shots clear of a playoff. Phew.
Putter and I would go to our first USGA National Championship, which was this past weekend in Tequesta, Florida at the prestigious Jupiter Hills Club. Even though we didn’t make the cut for the week’s match play, Putter and I proved we could do it.
We’ll be back.
Moments are best when shared
Teamwork has guided me through my high school and college competition, my entire professional career, and now NewClub, so looking back I shouldn’t be surprised that one of my greatest successes in golf came as a part of a team.
Golf, as in life, appears to be an individual pursuit. But if my USGA experiences have taught me anything, it’s that sometimes teamwork really does make the dream work and the game of golf with all of its quirky moments are truly more fun when shared.