On Top of His Game

Georgia Southern golfer Scott Wolfes wanted his summer to include a trip to Ardmore, Pa., and the Merion Golf Club, the site of the 113th U.S. Open.

Wolfes survived the local qualifying round and advanced to the sectional qualifier in June at Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground, Ga. He joined 50 other golfers for 36 holes of golf in one day. Three invitations to the U.S. Open were on the line. The stakes were high and the pressure intense. Wolfes played well, but finished three over par posting rounds of 74 and 73.

Just a day after missing out on an opportunity to play at the U.S. Open, the Eagle sophomore teed it up again. This time the prize was a spot in July’s U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. He finished in a tie for the final spot and was forced into a playoff. Wolfes missed a 6-foot birdie putt to extend the playoff. While he may have lost, Wolfes was not defeated.

“This has been a learning experience that will put me in position for success down the road,” said Wolfes. “I am trying to play as much golf as I can this summer. I want to be among the top 50 ranked amateurs in the country which will allow me to skip local qualifying for the U.S. Open and begin with sectional qualifying and automatically get me into the Public Links and U.S. Amateur Championships.”

2013 was a solid and competitive year for the golfer from St. Simons Island. Wolfes won two tournaments, placed first or second in five matches and had seven top ten finishes. Not only did his play lead to Wolfes being named the Southern Conference Golfer of the Year and an All-SoCon selection for the second consecutive year, he was also named to the PING East All-Region Team.

“It has been a good year for me,” said Wolfes. “I look at it as a stepping stone for next year. My goal is to be a first team All-American. It will be challenging because I have to play consistent golf over a span of six to seven months. That’s tough. Golf is a crazy game. It can all change overnight.”

Golf coach Larry Mays has nothing but praise for Wolfes and calls him a well-rounded, good team player who wants the Eagles to be a force in college golf. “Scott is a great young man who is motivated to be a champion and has a passion for golf,” said Mays. “He has worked real hard on his short game, which I believe is the best part of his game and what ultimately makes him so successful. Scott’s goal is to be a professional golfer, and he is building his resume now to do so. I expect great things from him.”

The business marketing major says it is an honor to be on the Georgia Southern golf team and represent the Eagles because so many people want to play Division I golf and compete against the best golfers in the country. Wolfes is taking advantage of his opportunity here to fulfill his dream of playing on the PGA Tour.

“I really admire Coach Mays and Carter Collins, our assistant coach. They are great because they are straightforward and will tell it to you like it is. I think their style makes me a better golfer.”

Wolfes is preparing for more golf tournaments before returning to class in the fall. As for next summer, he wants to make a trip to Pinehurst, N.C., the site of the 2014 U.S. Open. — Casey Jones