Zach Sonkin '19 Recruiting Profile

Ever since I can remember, being part of a team was a major driving force in my life.  That may sound odd, since golf is my sport. But as my dad says, "It's possible Zach may win The Masters some day, but I'm pretty sure he'll be on a winning Ryder Cup team".  Yes, fair to say that team is a pretty big deal in my world.

I played baseball, basketball and a few other things here and there.  It was always about making myself better for the benefit of the team.  I always knew what the team needed and found a way to be that guy. Also, it doesn't always have to be sports. For example, I am very active in the DECA program, where team play is critical.

I played on a club basketball team for a few years for the same coach and he wrote a nice testimonial for me.  You can find it on my website, https://www.zachsonkin.com/recommendations.  

This bio section you're currently reading prompts me to tell you about my "collegiate goals and aspirations". I spent a bit of time considering the best way to do that short of telling you that "I want to win a handful of national championships" (I'll go out on a limb and assume that we're all on the same page about that part anyway). 

So I can best sum it up by telling you about the three bags I'm planning to bring with me to college.  

The first is my golf bag, which currently includes an Odyssey putter, TaylorMade woods, Titleist wedges, Mizuno irons, a fairly beat up water bottle, and possibly some granola and a partially eaten PB&J sandwich (don't worry, I'll clean that out before I get to campus).  

The second bag will have my entire wardrobe, which is comprised of a dozen golf outfits a handful of Yankees t-shirts (I hope that doesn't take me off your short list), my retainer and some mission-critical toiletries.  

And the last bag is my backpack which has my MacBook Air, a few cords and chargers, whatever Mike Lupica book I'm currently reading, and the signed Jordan Spieth ball I have from when I was a standards bearer for him at one of his last amateur events (now that I think about it, maybe I should put that up on a shelf somewhere).  

If you dig around in that last bag, you'll also find two pieces of paper.  

The first is a note to myself, which reads:

"The Plan

Freshman: make some noise on the golf team as "that new guy who impressed the heck out of his teammates and coaches"

Sophomore: become the "go-to-guy" on the team, both for spirit and scoring

Junior: captain our team to an epic run

Senior: create a bit of school history; respectfully turn down a great job at a major sports management firm, in order to go play on the PGA Tour"

The second note is from my dad.

"On the golf course and in life, chase the pars and let the birdies chase you."

For a few more bits and pieces on me, please feel free to view my bio at https://www.zachsonkin.com/bio-1