As a golfer, Tommy Ponce is not at his peak just yet but is looking forward to improving his putting skills.

Tommy, a native from Edwardsville, is a sophomore majoring in sports management. He has played for the Eastern golf team for one year.

Ponce’s golfing career did not begin in college. He has been playing for the past five years.

His parents introduced him to golf at young age. Ponce’s mother, Julie Ponce, said her son did not develop a major interest in golf until he was in eighth grade.

“We introduced him to golf as a little kid but (it) never really interested him until his eighth grade year when we signed him up for a few tournaments,” she said.

Julie said her son’s dedication rewarded him with a college scholarship.

“He has really set his life to golf and has gotten him a golf scholarship which is very impressive for a student merging into college,” she said.

Tommy said golf is more difficult than what people usually think. He said you must know when to make the right decision.

“Golf, in my mind, is the toughest sport to play mentally,” he said. “In order to be a great golfer, you have to know when to make certain decisions and when not to,” he said.

Ponce describes his style of golfing as aggressively patient.

He said his favorite professional golfer is Phil Mickelson, because he is not only a genuine person but also left handed like him.

Tommy has prepared for prior tournaments by practicing as much as possible and by arriving early to the golf course to work on all aspects of his game before teeing off.

Tommy’s most memorable experience playing golf goes back to his senior year in Edwardsville High School when he helped his team win third place in state.

“(During my) senior year of high school when I had to play my last four holes at the state tournament — two under par to finish in the top ten individually and help our team get 3rd place, which I accomplished,” he said.

Ponce will return to practice with Eastern’s golf team in August. His goals are to finish playing in the top five all year and help the team win conference.

To accomplish his goals, Tommy has already identified the area where he needs to improve.

“The main area in my game that I have struggled in the past has been off the tee,” he said. “My driver needs to be more consistent in order for me to go low on a regular basis.”

Ponce said he feels as a more experienced golfer that his hard work will reflect on the next golf season.

“I have one year of college golf under my belt and I know what to expect now,” he said. “I have been working hard this summer to become better and it will pay off for the golf season at Eastern coming up.”

Pablo Rodriguez can be reached at 581-7942 or at Jprodriguez@eiu.edu.

Submitted photo Tommy Ponce swinging a golf club in the IHSA’s 2009 state poster. The photo was taken in late October 2008 when he played in the state tournament.

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