By Adam Jackson
After a disappointing performance last week, a Ponoka golfer is looking to put the past behind him.
When the CN Future Links Western Championship wrapped up last week, 17-year-old Austin Jacobson of the Ponoka Community Golf Club finished a disappointing 29th out of 75 hopefuls.
After an up and down first day, Jacobson was able to settle down for the rest of the tournament at Wolf Creek Golf Resort.
“I felt pretty decent the rest of the tournament, but it was the first day that I couldn’t come back from,” said Jacobson.
On day 1, Jacobson finished with an 81 on the par 71 course and finished day 2 with a 76, leaving him with a final score of 15 over 142.
“I have a membership (at Wolf Creek) and I know the course pretty well, but I just had an up and down day.”
The tournament, which ran from July 11 to 14, was a soggy one. After heavy rain forced the cancellation of the practice round on the first day of the tournament, it all went downhill from there for the golfers.
“The rain made it tough for sure,” said Jacobson. “The ball didn’t roll or bounce or anything so it was a pretty difficult tournament.”
Jacobson’s focus on golf has shifted slightly over the past few years, as he enters Grade 12 at Ponoka Composite High School.
“Right now, I’m trying my best to get a scholarship for school,” said Jacobson. “If I can get that then I will be pretty much set.”
Jacobson says that although he does take tournament golfing seriously, he always enjoys it.
“I’ve been golfing since I was about seven or eight years old with my family,” said Jacobson. “It’s something I really enjoy — I try not to put too much pressure on myself.”
Right now, Jacobson is looking forward to a few junior tournaments to help him recover from the mediocre performance last week.
“Every time you enter a new tournament, you always have to start with a blank slate,” said Jacobson. “You can’t let that stuff stay in your mind.”