Individual concentration is vitally important while playing golf. On the scholastic level, golfers compete with both an individual and team focus and the challenges can be even more demanding.
For Mission Bay High sophomore Andy Knight, this spring on the links turned out to be a big one.
Knight was the team’s MVP, helping head coach Gebel Anderson’s squad compete against some stiff competition.
According to Anderson, Knight’s nine-hole differential was 83 (close to scratch). He shot par or better nine out of the 20 matches he played in.
“Andy has been the catalyst of the team,” Anderson commented. “Knowing he will break 40 every time he tees it up makes our team that much more competitive.”
According to Anderson, it is really up to Knight how much better he can get over his remaining two seasons in school.
“After the CIF Tournament this year (he missed CIF Regionals by four strokes) we talked about areas of his game that need improvement in order for him to take his game to the next level,” Anderson noted. “Next year will be a pivotal year for him as a junior when colleges actively begin the recruiting process.”
Beach & Bay Press recently caught up with Knight for an interview.
BBP: How long have you been playing and what got you interested in coming out for the team?
Knight: I’ve been playing golf for around five years. When I was in eighth grade, I would always go to Mission Bay Golf Course to practice, and every once in a while, I would see the team practicing. I ended up making friends with a few of the players on the team and that is when I decided I was going to try out for the team.
BBP: What would you say were some highlights for you and the team?
Knight: There were a few highlights during the season for both me individually and the team as a whole. Some individual highlights for me would be my good rounds during the season. I shot 33 as well as 34 a few times. Another highlight for me individually would have to be making it to the top eight in the City Tournament, although I was disappointed as I lost by one in the final match I played. As a team, we did very well this season, and we had quite a few highlights. First, we ended our season with a good record of 14-7. Also, a big highlight was when we broke 200 as a team. Finally, we qualified for CIF as a team, which was a huge highlight this season.
BBP: With two more seasons left, any aspects of your golf game you want to work on?
Knight: I definitely need to work on quite a few areas of my game that could help me improve my scores in the next couple of seasons. Full-swing wise, I need to make my misses better, which would mean keeping the ball on the right side of the course rather than both sides. Short-game wise, I need to work on pitching and chipping inside of 50 yards quite a bit as well as work on my putting so I have a more pure roll.
BBP: For any kids at MBHS interested in coming out for the golf team, what advice would you have?
Knight: My advice would be to practice whenever you have the chance to so that you can get your scores down to a varsity level. However, you shouldn’t practice just to practice, unless you already know the game well. You should practice with a coach or somebody who is good at golf so that you don’t practice the wrong things.
BBP: How do you balance being a student and athlete in school?
Knight: I balance being a student and athlete a few ways. I talk to my teachers whenever I am going to miss class and make sure that I will be able to make up any missed assignments. Also, I make sure to do my homework before I practice or at least make sure I get home in enough time to do it so that I can still get a decent amount of sleep.