Kyle, a free-swinging 8th-grader, finished 6th in the points in his first TPS season and added three tournament victories on the First Citizens Tour, winning its season points race in the 12-13 age bracket.

He then went on to claim the Championship in the inaugural season of the Lakeview Junior Tour, winning one event and coming in 2nd three other times. Kyle, nicknamed Slinky because of his wiry build and fluid swing, has the rare combination of talent and a strong work ethic, which means he will make an immediate mark on the high school district as a freshman at Harrisonburg in 2010.

Coach's Comments

Kyle started taking lessons and got involved in the Tournament Players' Series in the fall of 2008. It did not take me long to see the immense potential in this young man. Beyond his polite, quiet, and focused approach he brought great instincts to the game of golf.
 
Kyle seemed to intuitively understand the "linking" of a good swing in the way he coordinated the use of the upper and lower parts of his body. When he first arrived at my teaching area he was prone to driving his hips so strongly that it bent his spine and lagged the club--which made him likely to hit block shots and hooks. Now, though, he is learning to unwind the body with the same force but without the bend, or "whiplash" as we call it. As Kyle continues to learn this "stacked" rotation of his body, his ball flight has gone up and out, and the pattern of his shots has gotten much tighter.
 
There are very few junior golfers who work harder than Kyle. He seems to have developed a real passion for the game of golf. As his coach, I see a brilliant future for someone who seamlessly brings together dedication and natural talent.