Matthew Scobie sinks short putt for big win

Ajax resident off to national, international golf tournaments
Jul 08, 2009 - 04:30 AM
By Brad Kelly, METROLAND

AJAX -- Like every golfer who has ever teed one up, Matthew Scobie has stood over that two-foot nail-biter putt that seemed more like a ten-footer, and knocked it down.

His scenario might be a little different than that of the average duffer. Scobie's two-footer came on the second hole of a sudden death playoff with the Optimist Central Ontario Junior Golf Championship title at stake.

"That was the first playoff I have ever been in, so it was really exciting," says the 14 year old of the moment. "After the first swing on the first hole it settled my nerves.

"I wasn't nervous standing over the putt, but once I took it back, the nerves came on, but I was able to make it."

Entered in the 14-to-15 age bracket, the Ajax resident finished 18 holes at the Caledon Golf and Country Club in a three-way tie for first at 78, before winning in the playoff.

This summer's successful run at the top of the leaderboard began at a regional qualifier held at Winchester in Brooklin, where Scobie's first place finish advanced him to Centrals.

The win at Centrals has the Ajax High School student moving on to the Optimist Canadian National Championships, Aug. 10 to 12 at Ingersol.

The highlight of the summer will probably come later this month, when he tees it up at the Optimist International World Junior Golf Championships from July 23 to 28 at the PGA National Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. The course is home to the PGA Tour's Honda Classic.

"I feel I have really excelled this year," says Scobie, who credits his coach, Baird Cumberland from the Jim McLean Golf School at Angus Glen, with improving his game. "I've been feeling really good and confident about my swing and game."

A couple of wins on the Ping Junior Tour last summer helped prepare Scobie for the success he is enjoying thus far. Despite the success, his mindset heading into the next two big tournaments won't change.

"I don't pay attention to what the other players are doing," he says of the approach. "I just try to shoot the best score possible. I don't try to shoot a certain score. If I just play my best, I will do well."

The goal is to continue this winning trend and parlay it into a golf scholarship in the States upon graduation from high school. Until then, he will continue to practice at his home course at the Deer Creek Golf Academy, take lessons at Angus Glen, and play area courses with friends for variety.

Contact coordinator Carol Steven carolsteven@rogers.com for more information.