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06/20/2019 12:00 AMThe game of golf goes far beyond the physical elements on the course. It’s also a marathon of the mind on each and every hole. Jack Walsh is mastering the mental side of the sport as a member of the Old Saybrook golf team.
Jack has been playing golf since he was five, starting off at Fox Hopyard Golf Club in East Haddam. This spring, Jack put together an excellent season while leading Old Saybrook as a junior captain. Jack earned All-State First Team and All-Shoreline Conference Second Team honors for the Rams. He also guided Old Saybrook to a third-place finish at the Shoreline Conference Championship and a sixth-place performance in the Division IV State Championship.
“My mental game has really helped me out. Most mistakes made are more mental than physical and, by overcoming that mental game, my scores got lower,” says Jack, who finished in 11th and 19th place, respectively, at the Shoreline and state meets. “I have three-hole goals. I may want to par, birdie, and bogey three holes, so if I’m even after those, then I’m happy. If I have a bad hole, I just have to move on and go shot by shot.”
Jack says that his strong drives off the tee have helped him lower his score in recent seasons. When he’s closer to the pin, Jack has a few different shots in his arsenal that help him put the ball in the cup.
“My most predominant improvement has been my distance. I’ve been hitting it harder, and it makes it easier when you’re shooting 150 yards away from the hole versus 200,” Jack says. “I’ve also worked on different shot types. I try to hit draws and fades to work with the wind.”
Jack enjoys playing on two courses in particular. One of those courses is certainly familiar to Connecticut golf fans this time of year, while the other one is another majestic site in the Northeast.
“I enjoy [Fishers Island Club] in New York, because it’s ranked as one of the top 20 courses in the world,” says Jack. “I also like [TPC River Highlands] in Cromwell, because it’s where the Travelers Championship is, and you are playing on the same course as great legends of the past and present.”
Head Coach Curtis Gullette praises Jack for his even-keeled approach on the links. Gullette adds that Jack knows how to lead Old Saybrook as an extension of the Rams’ coaching staff.
“Jack has been an integral part of the golf team. His integrity, kindness, and commitment to the success of the team stand out above everything else. He is up to any task he is faced with,” Gullette says. “Jack helped build team camaraderie, encouraging members of the team to think positively and work on their golf game. Drawing from his own growth from his freshman and sophomore years, Jack was able to help me to get the most out of every member of the team this year.”
With everyone on the squad returning to the fold next year, Jack feels that the Rams are ready to continue climbing the ladder by contending for conference and state crowns. Jack also wants to top his own accomplishments from this season during the 2020 campaign.
“We had a really solid year and surpassed our expectations. We aren’t losing any players, so we will be even better,” says Jack. “My goal next year is to go All-State and All-Shoreline Conference First Team. I want to show I’m not a one-hit wonder. As a team, we can definitely win Shorelines. I feel we will be the team to beat. We also want to finish top three at states.”