A local golfer is hoping that a recent development opportunity will help propel him to the collegiate ranks in the near future.
Swift Current’s Matty Schmiess was one of 56 golfers to attend a Congaree Global Golf Initiative session at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina.
Schmiess, who just finished grade 10 at the Swift Current Comprehensive High School, was amongst golfers from around the world.
“It was good. It was really fun and a lot of really good people there. The coaches and stuff were great, so it was a good opportunity,” said Schmiess. “So there was stations everywhere, some golf. We had these college seminars. There was one about college and how to get recruited.”
CGGI is now in its ninth year after being launched in 2017 with the mission to prepare golfers for the college admissions process and the opportunity to play college golf.
“I just want to get into a college, get a good degree, Division I or II,” said Schmiess, who was nominated for the program by Kyle’s Chloe Wills, who previously entered the program.
CGGI has hosted 221 participants from 35 different countries with 97 percent of age-eligible participants currently enrolled or graduated from college.
“I’m trying to go play DI or DII. It would be a great opportunity to go play that. I’m just trying to get better every day,” said Schmiess.
Schmiess won’t have to attend any more sessions, but he will continue be in touch with the organization, which has made a 10-year commitment to support his success in golf.
Schmiess said that one of the highlights of the trip was playing the Congaree course, where his favourite golfer had previously won.
“It’s a great course. Rory McIlroy played a tournament there two years ago and he won. It’s a really hard course, but it’s beautiful.”
Schmiess started golfing when he was two and he started competing at Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour events around the age of nine. He attended Nationals in Florida a year ago.
“It was a great experience. There was a lot of good golfers there and I learned from the best.”
Schmiess is currently golfing out of the Elmwood Golf and Country Club under the tutelage of Jeff Gross.
“I haven’t been playing the greatest, but I’m trying to work my way up there.”
He said he needs to work on both the technical and mental aspects of the game.
“It’s a bit of both. I’m trying to get better at my mental game, that kind of screws me over a little bit. If I can get that touched up I’ll be pretty good.”
