With great mentors, this pupil may soon become just as good or even better than his teacher

By Sports Editor Jay Ahuja

Jay Ahuja sat down with a rising golf star, NNHS junior Griffin Brown. Brown watched 2013 graduate Raymond Knoll for the past couple years, and he appears to be a strong candidate for the position as team captain in the upcoming year. Brown, who started playing competitive golf at the age of 12, strongly believes that this year’s squad will make it down to state and claim the title, just like last year’s team.

Q: What is the best thing about your sport?

A: The best thing about golf is the individuality. You can control every aspect of your game, and if you mess up, it’s your own fault. It gives you more of a chance to look at yourself and improve your game.

Q: What is the worst thing about your sport?

A: I can’t think of one. If I really have to pick one, it would have to be three putts.

Q: How far do you want to go with your sport?

A: I want be successful enough in the high school arena to where I can play in college. After that, we’ll see. For now, I need to focus on the present moment.

Q: What’s the most important contribution you make to your sport?

A: When things aren’t going my way, and I want to quit, I manage to stay mentally tough to keep the rest of the team confident. With golf, the mentality is everything.When you lose that, you’re screwed.

Q: How have you evolved as an athlete over the years?

A: When I started playing at 12, I wasn’t too keen on making an impact in golf. Then, I played more and fell in love with it. I started playing in more nationally ranked tournaments over the summer, and now I feel like I have that competitive edge over most golf players.

Q: What coaches or mentors have inspired you over the years?

A: My biggest inspiration is Colleen Braid, the co-founder of the J Kyle Braid Leadership ranch I attended this summer. Thanks to her influence on me, the ranch changed my life.