43
GOLF Jared Wilson Columbiana boys
There might not have been an easier choice for boys golfer of the year than Jared Wilson.
The Columbiana junior not only won the Division III state tournament at NorthStar Golf Club, but he set a course record in the process.
“[The course record] wasn’t anything I really thought about while I was out there,” Wilson said. “Seeing all the great golfers who have played there and all the years they’ve played the state tournament there, [the record is] something that is special to me.”
Wilson had his teammates in support, and while the Clippers finished eighth as a team, not being out there alone is something Wilson said aided him.
“It helps make it more comfortable,” Wilson said. “Having people there with you kind of calms the nerves a little bit.”
Preparation for the high school golf season isn’t quite the same as basketball or baseball preseason. No school in session means much of the preparation is done on an individual basis instead of structured practices.
Wilson said he used that to his advantage by participating in challenging summer tournaments.
“I played in a lot of tournaments to have a tough schedule so that once high school season comes it becomes easier since I’ve been playing tough competition before,” Wilson said.
But he prefers the individuality of golf.
“I like being able to tailor my practices to what I need or what I think I need to work on instead of just having a set practice. It definitely helps,” Wilson said.
Wilson recently committed to Wake Forest University on a golf scholarship and will be a Demon Deacon in the fall of 2018.
Wilson drew attention from more than 20 schools and went on six visits before eventually settling on the North Carolina school.