By Eric Roy

Staff Columnist

Welcome to the golf column! My name is Eric Roy, a junior here at LHS, and a co-captain of the golf team. Golf is my sports passion.  Many of my friends and teachers may even say that I have an addiction to the game. I have been playing the game since I was eleven and competitively since my freshmen year here. Through the help of our coaching staff and my swing coaches I have progressed through the years.

I now take the skills and insights that I’ve learned and pass them on to you, the reader, in this periodic report.

I will include tips, tricks, team news, and updates on happenings around the world of golf. While this time of year may be slightly dry for local golf news, here will be plenty of achievements to be mentioned as the competitive season kicks back up this spring.

The storylines of golf, one of the oldest games known to mankind, will continue to develop as we head towards the biggest men’s professional tournaments of the year.  These pro tournaments, known in the golf world as the four majors, are The Masters, the US Open, The (British) Open Championship, and the PGA Championship.

Starting on April 6th, people across the globe will tune into the highest rated televised golf championship, The Masters. Taking place in the United States at the famed Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, players will compete on those hallowed grounds for one of the most cherished honors to wear the champion’s green jacket .

Fan Favorite: Tiger Woods?

This year’s most anticipated storyline will clearly be highlighted as Tiger Woods’ return to golf. After  a controversial fall from dominance some years ago as a result of sexual addiction, Tiger has been most recently taking a year off from the sport to recover from back surgery.  Americans love to forgive fallen heroes who admit their failings or confront the odds of returning to the top of their game.  And American golf fans will also be looking at Woods in pursuit of redemption and the unlikely odds of a return to the top.  

One such renewal happened when Jack Nicklaus climbed the Master’s leaderboard in 1986, and golf fans found the Golden Bear wearing his sixth green jacket as he entered his senior years at Augusta.  Phil Mickelson also comes to mind as a left-handed golfer who was once known for choking in clutch situations.  But today with numerous major victories to his credit, Mickelson’s persistence has resulted in a reputation as an all-time great.  

Golf fans will be watching for a happy ending to Woods troubled mid-career crisis and subsequent injuries.  There is still much contention about whether the 41-year- old Woods will be able to play with the same arm-pumping fiery invincibility which he became known for early in his career.

Dark Horse: Jordan Spieth

Another strong contender for the top spot in golf is Jordan Spieth, the 23 year old, two time major winner. Last year on the final day of the Master’s tournament, he sat atop the leaderboard coming onto the par three twelfth hole when he made a triple bogey to take himself out of contention. How he reacts this year to the same pressured venue after such heartache will definitely be something watched by the diehard golf fans.

Hottest Player:  Justin Thomas

Finally, a likely candidate to claim the first major title of the year could be Justin Thomas. He started the year off by winning the SBS Tournament of Champions by three strokes despite the strong field. The following week, he went out and shot the fabled score of 59, becoming one of only nine players in PGA Tour history to accomplish the feat.

Weekly tip: Keeping in rhythm this winter

There are many ways the golfers, professional and amateur alike, stay in shape during the offseason. For those with enough room to swing a club in their garage or in their backyard, as little as ten swings a day can keep your swing in its groove. Also, facilities such as World Cup Golf Center in Hudson, NH have heated driving range bays that are open year round for the player that really wants to improve over the offseason.  Another choice for keeping fresh would be Pappas golf in a Mill at 70 Princeton Street in North Chelmsford where aspiring pros can use giant indoor screen simulators to receive lessons, track and practice their swings.

So, remember keep swinging.