2012 NorCal Boys Golfer to Watch
Austin Smotherman “¢ Senior “¢ Del Oro-Loomis
It’s been more than nine months since Austin Smotherman fired a 1-under par 71 at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach to snag a Top 5 finish at the California Interscholastic Federation boys golf state championship tournament.
And if you think Smotherman spent much time away from the golf course in those nine months, think again.
An intense summer and fall schedule took him to premier tournaments from Washington to Mississippi. He will enter his senior season with the Golden Eagles as one a definitive favorite to win the Sac Joaquin Section Masters Tournament and a serious threat at the CIF NorCal and State championships.
“” Jim McCue
TOP FINISH OF 2011: Won California State Junior Amateur Championship (14-under (69-66-67) at The Country Club at Soboba Springs, San Jacinto, CA)
LOWEST 18-HOLE ROUND OF 2011: 7-under 65, Del Paso Country Club (Sacramento)
CAREER BEST 18-HOLE ROUND: 9-under 63 Del Paso Country Club (Sacramento), 2010
TOUGHEST COURSE PLAYED: Trump National Golf Course (Bedminster, New Jersey)
STROKE PLAY/MATCH PLAY: Match play
BEST CELEBRITY GOLF MOMENT: Competed in a pick-up putting contest with George Lopez, Fred Funk, and Greg Norman at Del Monte Golf Course (Monterey). Smotherman and fellow local golfers had an impromptu putting contest after the group was practicing after a round at the 2011 event.
BEST FEELING YOU CAN REMEMBER ON A GOLF COURSE: Shooting the 63 at Del Paso. “I didn’t really feel anything. It was one of those rounds where it all feels right and you can’t miss.”.
AVG. DRIVING DISTANCE: 300 yards
AVG. PUTTS PER ROUND: 30-31
FAVORITE ON-COURSE SNACK: Chocolate Brownie or Banana Nut CLIF Bars
DREAM FOURSOME: Payne Stewart, Ernie Els, Troy Smotherman (father)