By Reid Okoniewski
Contributing Writer
At 10 years old, freshman golfer Corey Long received his first set of golf clubs from his father.
“I remember getting them, trying out golf for a year and then quitting,” Long said. “It was also really hard to stay with the passion of the sport, because it’s so difficult to get used to and perfect.”
It wasn’t until Long was 12 years old when he was out with his family, that he hit a hole in one. That is when he realized that golf would be the sport for him.
Long credited the start of his golfing career to his father and his brother.
“My dad gave me the clubs and helped me get started, but when I saw my older brother play, I wanted to play just as good as he did. I even wanted to beat him, like any other younger brother would do,” Long said.
It wasn’t just his brother and father he watched and learned from when it came to be the early stages of his development. PGA legend Patrick Reed also contributed to the type of golfer Long is today.
“I always watched how he played,” Long said. “I still watch YouTube videos of him and other golfers like Tiger Woods to see what pros are doing that I can do now.”
Long competed for South Fayette High School in Pennsylvania, averaging a 36.4 for nine holes his senior year. However, it wasn’t just high school golf the soon to be Bonnie was competing in. Long won the 2013 Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) AAA championship after he shot a 67 to tie for medalist honors, then went on to win in a four-hole playoff and continued to impress others before attending Bonaventure.
As a freshman, Long has averaged 77 strokes in tournaments and is on his way to Florida this weekend to compete in the Atlantic 10 tournament.
“It’s going to be 90 degrees and sunny those three days,” Long said. “We as a team focus on the fact that if we can play in spring weather like this, and indoors during the winter, we can play in any condition that’s thrown our way.”
Long was also named A-10 Rookie of the Week for last week’s period.
“Obviously it’s a nice morale booster, especially going into a big tournament like this.”
However, Long said he wanted to make sure he credited his team for the help.
“Having an individual award like that is great, but it’s important to focus back on the idea that this is a team sport and I have to contribute to the big picture.”
After the plane ride back from Florida and the semester at Bonaventure ends, Long says the season isn’t over for him. Balancing work, family and catching up with his high school friends, Long still plans on competing in numerous tournaments during the summer break.
“It’s something that I love doing and I enjoy. It’s also something good for me competition wise, because I’m competing with guys who are training to go pro,” Long said.
Long also mentioned that within all the preparation for the next season, there’s room and time to have fun.
“I’ll go out with my dad or brother and we’ll just screw around. Especially with the ‘Happy Gilmore’ shots and putts,” said Long. “That’s what you need, times where you can just go out and mess around.”
