MILL CREEK
Jackson golf standout Sean Fitzpatrick is ready to see if all the hard work he put in during the offseason is going to pay off.
The senior spent about six months — late August through early March — improving his game and his grades at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
The academy focuses on developing students’ skills both on and off the golf course.
“I went down there to see what my potential was in the realm of golf and to kind of get myself on the straight and narrow,” Fitzpatrick said. “College was the main reason I went down there. My grades weren’t too good, but the golf was pretty good. But I hadn’t shown it on a national level. I went down there to kind of prove that I could do that and to get good grades.”
Fitzpatrick accomplished both goals. He had some solid finishes in some tournaments and also pulled a 3.75 GPA his first semester. He’s currently pulling a 4.0 and though he is back home in the Northwest, he is still attending school in Florida via the Internet. Fitzpatrick lives in the Jackson High School service area and is eligible to be on the team.
From about 8 to 11:30 a.m. Fitzpatrick worked on improving his golf game, while he attended his regular academic classes from 12:45 to 4:45 p.m. Much of the rest of the time was spent out on the golf course.
“I put a lot of work into my short game,” said Fitzpatrick, who advanced to the Class 4A state tournament last year. “That’s where my game really improved. … it’s always like summer down there, so I was able to put in all the hours I wanted.”
Being away from home for an extended period of time took some getting use to, Fitzpatrick said.
“It was really difficult at first,” he added. “I had a really good time down three. It’s good to be back.”
Fitzpatrick, the defending district champion and first-team, all-league selection, admits his game isn’t where he would like it to be.
“I didn’t really have much practice right before the season,” he said. “I was kind of transitioning, coming back from Florida and it’s been a rough start for me. I haven’t played up to my expectations.”
Jackson head coach Michael Tong is confident Fitzpatrick will be fine. He knows what Fitzpatrick is capable of doing.
“He has enormous talent,” Tong said. “He came back a little rusty. He’s trying to get back into form. I’m not really worried. It’s the early part of the season.”
Fitzpatrick already is looking ahead to the future. After high school, he plans to attend a junior college in California and then transfer to a four-year school.
His ultimate goal is to pursue a professional golf career.
“Hopefully, I can go on the PGA tour,” Fitzpatrick said. “That’s what I want to do.”
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