Q&A with Ardrey Kell golfer Benjamin Chase
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Q&A with Benjamin Chase who is a golfer and senior at Ardrey Kell High School.
Age: 18
Years in current sport: 12
How did you get involved with golf?
Benjamin Chase: My dad got me into golf by letting me tag along when he and my older brother went to the course during the summer.
What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?
Chase: My goal is to play at the collegiate level. Whether it is becoming a top ranked team or winning tournaments, I just want to contribute to my team鈥檚 success.
What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Chase: Two of the greatest challenges in the game of golf are time management and patience. As a high schooler, having the talent of time management is important to put meaningful hours into practicing. Patience is a great quality that is taught through the game of golf. Something as little as doing your routine slightly too quick can throw off your whole rhythm.
What do you love about your sport?
Chase: I love the rollercoaster of emotions that this game makes you endure. I love the feelings of bounce back birdies and unexpected hole-outs to break your personal best. On the other hand, although maybe not fun during the time, I love overcoming the bad holes and the necessity of a short memory to focus on the next shot.
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Chase: I like to go to the Rec center and play basketball with friends or go to my school鈥檚 sporting events such as football and baseball games.
What is your favorite golf course you鈥檝e ever played on, and what makes it special to you?
Chase: My favorite golf course I have ever played on is Pinehurst #2. Not only was it the history behind the course, but the first time I played it was also my first trip to the State Championship with my team.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor?
Chase: The best piece of advice I have ever received is 鈥淎im small, miss small.鈥� Whether it is in life or in golf, if you aim for a blade of grass for your putt or the most specific end goal in life, the chances of success are much higher.
Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.
Chase: A mistake I have made while competing is looking too far into the future. Being nervous of the 18th tee shot while I鈥檓 still on the 13th hole brought me out of focus with the shot at hand. I overcame this mistake by thinking of something that takes my mind away from the game in between shots.
How do you balance your academics and training for your sport?
Chase: My mom has always told me, 鈥淕rades before golf.鈥� Taking her advice, and with my sport needing sunlight, I have found a great balance between the two by practicing and playing during the day, and completing my schoolwork and studying when it is dark.
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.