By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
When Madisonville resident Adam Fox walks across the stage to grab his diploma next month, it won't be the typical graduation stroll.
In a few weeks, Fox will graduate from the Myrtle Beach, S.C., campus of Golf Academy of America and begin the job market search to become a golf pro.
Fox, a 2006 Madisonville-North Hopkins graduate, started the program in January of 2008, but his passion for golf began at the age of 11 when he played with his grandfather.
Fox played in high school and upon his graduation from North, the desire to peruse the sport remained.
"After high school, I really didn't know what I wanted to and then I stumbled upon the academy over the Internet," he said. "I thought this could be a good opportunity, so me and my parents called and got some information and just built on it from there."
For four semesters, Fox has studied an intensive series of classes from the game's history and rules to tournament operations taught by a faculty that includes 10 golf pros. During his time, Fox has learned details about grasses, managing events and repairing clubs. The school also conducts business courses and all graduates receives an associate's degree in business management.
"I could sit here and ramble on all day about all the things I've learned and all the different categories of the golf game that has been put into my mind and opened my eyes about everything," he said.
In a few weeks, Fox will graduate from the Myrtle Beach, S.C., campus of Golf Academy of America and begin the job market search to become a golf pro.
Fox, a 2006 Madisonville-North Hopkins graduate, started the program in January of 2008, but his passion for golf began at the age of 11 when he played with his grandfather.
Fox played in high school and upon his graduation from North, the desire to peruse the sport remained.
"After high school, I really didn't know what I wanted to and then I stumbled upon the academy over the Internet," he said. "I thought this could be a good opportunity, so me and my parents called and got some information and just built on it from there."
For four semesters, Fox has studied an intensive series of classes from the game's history and rules to tournament operations taught by a faculty that includes 10 golf pros. During his time, Fox has learned details about grasses, managing events and repairing clubs. The school also conducts business courses and all graduates receives an associate's degree in business management.
"I could sit here and ramble on all day about all the things I've learned and all the different categories of the golf game that has been put into my mind and opened my eyes about everything," he said.
"They really strive on building your game once you get here and making you a better teacher and putting you in the right direction you need to go in."
Fox said he took a club repair and marketing class where he learned the make-up of clubs and club heads and different shaft types. The Myrtle Beach Golf Academy boasts one of the largest club repair shops on the east coast, he said.
Now in his final semester, Fox gets a break from the classroom each Friday to give lessons to seniors and Special Olympics children.
Each individual seeks different advice, but there are some common themes, Fox said.
"A lot of people are seeking longer, straighter drives," he said. "With the seniors, they just want to hit it longer. They can't really hit it that far and they just want distance."
Keeping a good mindset is pivotal as well, Fox said.
"Patience is the key," he said. "You have to learn to keep a steady line, always look for the positive. You can't dwell on the negative."
Fox has seen plenty of time on the course as well with his scheduled days on the links and discounted rates.
The classroom instruction and implementation on the course has allowed Fox to improve his game tremendously, he said.
"The courses down here are extremely harder than the ones back at home," Fox said. "I've improved a lot on everything from putting to driving. My ball striking has gotten a lot better.
"I've improved as a person too. I've picked up a lot of good qualities and I know what I want to do now, which is teaching people the game."
Fox said he took a club repair and marketing class where he learned the make-up of clubs and club heads and different shaft types. The Myrtle Beach Golf Academy boasts one of the largest club repair shops on the east coast, he said.
Now in his final semester, Fox gets a break from the classroom each Friday to give lessons to seniors and Special Olympics children.
Each individual seeks different advice, but there are some common themes, Fox said.
"A lot of people are seeking longer, straighter drives," he said. "With the seniors, they just want to hit it longer. They can't really hit it that far and they just want distance."
Keeping a good mindset is pivotal as well, Fox said.
"Patience is the key," he said. "You have to learn to keep a steady line, always look for the positive. You can't dwell on the negative."
Fox has seen plenty of time on the course as well with his scheduled days on the links and discounted rates.
The classroom instruction and implementation on the course has allowed Fox to improve his game tremendously, he said.
"The courses down here are extremely harder than the ones back at home," Fox said. "I've improved a lot on everything from putting to driving. My ball striking has gotten a lot better.
"I've improved as a person too. I've picked up a lot of good qualities and I know what I want to do now, which is teaching people the game."
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