Hunter Hayes '16 Recruiting Profile

I began playing competitive golf my 7th grade year and after winning my first event the next year, I knew I wanted to compete in golf in high school and beyond. I grew up around golf, and spent a great deal of time on courses with my dad and older sister who played college golf. I have met some great people over the years through my golf experiences and have decided to pursue golf as a profession. I plan to work towards the path of becoming a PGA club professional. I feel the skills and knowledge of the game I would develop though competing at the collegiate level would help me tremendously in reaching that goal. One of the most rewarding things I have done recently is to help teach young golfers at the junior program at my home course, and being able to strengthen my skills so I can become a better teacher in the future is also important.

My high school career has proven more challenging that I had anticipated. Trying to balance work in the classroom and competition at a high level in two very different sports has proven difficult. The weight training and off season commitments to the football program have hampered my flexibility which has affected my golf swing to some extent. It has also limited me in the golf events I have been able to compete in. I have often envied my competitors that play only golf but given the success of our football program and the life experiences I have gained from being a part of such a successful program, it is a sacrifice I know I will be glad I made when I look back in a few years. I am confident that  I will be much more competitive in the coming golf season as I will be able to focus primarily on my studies and golf conditioning during this off season and can work to regain the flexibility and swing speed I had prior to football conditioning.

I believe my strongest attribute is my love for the game of golf and my constant desire to improve and be successful at a higher level of competition. I have a strong work ethic and know the amount on time and commitment required to play competitive golf. I also have the full support of my parents in pursuing my dream to play college golf. My mom and dad to, when he could have devoted their summers since I was 12 years old to driving me to competitions throughout the Midwest. They have followed me around the course in all kinds of crazy midwest weather. My dad also sold his prized hunting farm and used the money to purchase additional land around our house to build a "shed" with a golf simulator and indoor training facility for the winter and an outdoor training area for practicing short game and irons during the playing season. I would like nothing more than to have a successful future in golf to show them that all the time and effort they have invested in me and the game of golf have been worth it.