2012 NorCal Boys Golfer to Watch
Will Brueckner “¢ Sophomore “¢ Acalanes-Lafayette
Most high school golfers don’t enter their sophomore year with high expectations.
Not, Will Brueckner. He set the bar pretty high for himself as a freshman in 2011, winning the North Coast Section on a drizzly afternoon at Contra Costa Country Club in Pleasant Hill. He then cruised into a very successful summer and fall that included a Top 5 finish at the American Junior Golf Association’s Montverde Academy Junior All-Star Invitational in Montverde, Florida.
Brueckner has spent the last few weeks tuning up for the high school season with the occasional round at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, which will play host to the U.S. Open in June.
“They are definitely making it harder to play,” he said. “Too hard.”
“” Chace Bryson
TOP FINISH 2011: Won the NCS championship with an even 70 at Contra Costa CC; Won the AJGA Junior All-Star at River Ridge (72-73, 36 holes).
LOWEST 18-HOLE ROUND OF 201: 6-under 65 at Rancho Cañada (Carmel)
CAREER BEST 18-HOLE ROUND: The same round at Rancho Cañada
TOUGHEST COURSE PLAYED: Spyglass Hill (Pebble Beach) or Torrey Pines (La Jolla)
STROKE PLAY/MATCH PLAY: Match Play
BEST CELEBRITY GOLF MOMENT: Played in a fundraiser over the summer that featured a number of PGA Champions Tour players, including Lee Trevino.
BEST FEELING YOU CAN REMEMBER ON A GOLF COURSE: Playing in Pinehurst, N.C., as an 11-year old and making an up-and-down from a green-side bunker (including a 10-foot breaking putt) to save par, finish at 1-under for the round, and clinch a Top 5 finish to qualify for the following year’s tournament.
AVG. DRIVING DISTANCE: 290 yards
AVG. PUTTS PER ROUND: 27-28
FAVORITE ON-COURSE SNACK: Fruit snacks, hands down
DREAM FOURSOME: Bubba Watson, Aaron Rodgers and Jack Nicklaus.