Sophomore Kyle Kopsick has accomplished a lot in his short two years at Auburn.
Last week, the Chicago native competed in the 2009 Gary Koch Invitational in Tampa, Fla., last weekend where Auburn placed seventh, but Kopsick won the overall tournament.
"I didn't know I had it won until an hour after or so I got after the course," Kopsick said. "I shot 63 in the second round which was my lowest tournament score. But I played well and so to top it off with that was great."
Head coach Nick Clinard said although they were rained out during the most of the game, Kopsick kept his composure throughout the tournament.
"He's a very mature golfer and a little beyond his years," Clinard said. "His strengths are his work ethics and his focused mindsets."
Clinard said Kopsick is one of the more disciplined players on the 10-member team, and he is exceptionally good at his ball strike and putting, which he said most players his age aren't.
"He's always becoming better at his putting and getting his chip and put, which separates the guys that are great to the average player," Clinard said. "He's also trying to get his golf swing more technically sound."
Kopsick, who described himself as laid back yet determined, said he practices four to five hours a day--Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the afternoons and Tuesday and Thursday in the early mornings.
"It's good to see hard work paying off," Kopsick said. "What you practice for is to win, so when you actually do it, it shows your hard work and that it's the right type of practice, so you keep winning."
Kopsick has been playing golf since he was four years old. His dad and older brother played recreationally, so he said it was a natural fit for him.
"I just love playing it, Kopsick said. "I started playing for pleasure, and I'm very competitive, so I hope to make a living out of it."
Kopsick said playing golf gives him something to do--something different.
He noted that there aren't many people his age who are interested in golf, so he feels privileged to be a part of the sport.
Kopsick does, however, encounter some challenges.
He said balancing his schoolwork with this athletics requires a lot of time management and, although it may hinder his social life a bit, he has to stay on top of things and make sacrifices.
As far as his performance goes, he's a perfectionist and said he would like to improve on everything.
"I'm always working on something," Kopsick said. "Nothing is ever perfect. So I'm always practicing," he said.
Clinard called Kopsick a tremendous asset to the team in the sense that his work ethic and attitude rubs off on the other team members.
"They respect him and look up to him," Clinard said, "and when they see him doing well, they that go out there and do the same thing. I think his future is very bright. If he continues to do the right thing and follow his plan, then he has the opportunity to be an All-American and an All-FCC performer and maybe play on the PGA Tour."
The team has one more tournament this weekend at LSU and then they will resume in the spring season.
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