VSGA JUNIOR BOYS GOLFER OF THE YEAR
Connor Burgess
HOME CLUB: Boonsboro Country Club
QUICK TIP Ability is one thing. Mental strength is another. And Burgess realized he had to work on the mental part of his game last summer just as much as he needed to worry about the mechanics of his swing.
“ You have to believe in yourself and know that you can compete with all of the other golfers, because there are so many good players,” Burgess said.“ If you believe in yourself, work on the mental game and take one shot at a time … the stronger you are mentally, the better you can compete with those players.”
CHAMPIONSHIP MOMENT Burgess’ strong season got an early boost in the spring when he won the rain-shortened Fox Puss Invitational at his home course, a tournament featuring high-level players such as Scott Shingler, Steven Liebler, Justin Young and Jon Hurst. He rode that confidence throughout the summer. After qualifying for the U. S. Junior Amateur in Richmond, he trekked across the state to play in the VSGA Amateur in Radford and advanced to match play before falling to eventual semifinalist Mark Lawrence Jr. in 20 holes.
At that point, he had no idea he and Lawrence would be future teammates at Virginia Tech. Burgess was initially recruited by the University of Virginia, but when that fell through, Burgess looked at the Cavaliers’ rival. Tech coach Jay Hardwick happened to have a spot available, and after visiting campus, Burgess was hooked on the Hokies.
“ I absolutely loved the place,” Burgess said.“ I loved the coach. I knew a lot of players on the team, including Mark and Tom Crow and Logan Yates. Joey Lane, who’ s a senior this year, I played with him at the state am. I just felt like I fit in at Virginia Tech. They made me an offer and I committed pretty soon after.”
Burgess’ other big moment last summer came when he earned medalist honors at a U. S. Amateur qualifier. When he got to Michigan for the 312-player main event, he learned very quickly what he would need to do to compete against the top amateur talent in the world.
“ I was ecstatic. I mean, that was a oncein-a-lifetime experience,” he said.“ I had never been to a tournament like that. The majority of players were in college or just out of college. … I think playing in that type of environment furthered my knowledge of the game, for sure.”
OFF THE COURSE Much of Burgess’ life is spent on the golf course, practicing, grinding and improving. But he said he does enjoy playing basketball and spending time with his girlfriend as well.
2016 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
» Qualified for both the U. S. Amateur and U. S. Junior Amateur championships. At a 36-hole U. S. Amateur qualifier at Willow Oaks Country Club, Burgess earned medalist honors by one stroke after posting rounds of 72 and 67. Survived a playoff after shooting 144 to qualify for the U. S. Junior Amateur.
» Advanced to match play at the 103rd VSGA Amateur.
» Helped his high school team, E. C. Glass in Lynchburg, win the VHSL 4A title.
» Won the 2016 Fox Puss Invitational at his home course.
» Signed a letter of intent to play golf at Virginia Tech.
vsga. org J ANUARY / F EBRUARY 2017 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 33