2008 Atlanta Junior Spotlight (July) - Past Member

Brent Witcher
Valdosta State University
Hometown: Duluth, Ga.

 

 
Witcher File
● Selected to play for US Team in USA-Japan Collegiate Championships
● 2008 NCAA Division II First-Team PING All-America selection
● 2008 All-Nicklaus Team selection
● 2008 Gulf South Conference Player of the Year
● Member of Two-time National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)
  National Champion Darton College Golf Team
● Two-time First-Team NJCAA Division II All-America
● Member of Team Atlanta, 1998 Atlanta-Kauai Team Challenge & Georgia Cup
   squads
● 2000 Boys 14 Grand Champion
● Atlanta Junior Golf member, 1997-2000
● Began playing golf at age 3
                                                           
Dream Foursome: Brent, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones and Tiger Woods
Hobbies: Fishing, Spending time with friends
Favorite Sports Team: Georgia Bulldogs
Favorite Golfer: Bobby Jones
Favorite Golf Course(s): Atlanta Athletic Club (Duluth); Jupiter Hills Club (Jupiter, Fla.) and Poppy Ridge Golf Course (Livermore, Calif.)
 

A Conversation with Brent Witcher
What's your fondest memory of Atlanta Junior Golf?
I don't know if it's my fondest memory, but I remember the first time I played in an event, I think I shot a 78 or 80. Before we left, my dad and I looked at the scoreboard and jus left the course, thinking I was out of it. I learned the next day I had tied for first, but since I wasn't there to claim the award, I didn't get first place.

How has Atlanta Junior Golf benefited you the most?
I think it was great, because I was playing week to week against a lot of good players. The competition was good, and it was fun. I think the atmosphere was very good, and it made me want to practice and improve my game.

What has it been like playing college golf?
It has been great. When I graduated high school, I was hoping to go to the University of Georgia, but I ended up going to Darton College - a junior college in south Georgia. I played on two National Championship teams, and I actually won individual honors one year, too. With Valdosta State, I have continued to work on my game and my golf coach is at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club so I try to work on my game when I'm not in school.

How busy is your summer schedule playing amateur events?
Since playing in the NCAA Regionals, I took a week off. I played in the British Amateur Championship. I came back and played in the Dogwood Invitational, and also the Rice Planters tournament. Coming up, I'll play in the USA-Japan Collegiate Championship. I'll come back and play in a U.S. Amateur qualifier, and then I think I'm playing in the Cardinal Amateur, and hopefully, the U.S. Amateur.

You have had such a great year. What is it like being selected to play in the USA vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championship?
It's quite an honor to represent the country, and play for your country in an event like this. I would like to make the Walker Cup team next year, and I hope to continue to play well and help my team win. I think this event will be terrific. I hope this might help me earn a spot on the Walker Cup team, because it is as good as it gets in amateur golf.