Eric Boutwell '21 Recruiting Profile

I have been playing golf since is was 6 years old. My Dad and Uncle played high school golf. My Uncle played in college. My Granddad is a retired high school golf coach. Needless to say, golf is in my blood. I was hooked the first time my Dad and Granddad put a club in my hand when I was 5. My obsession of the game started even before I started Kindergarten. I learned at an early age that I loved golf and I loved to compete. I have spent the majority of my summers growing up at the golf course. I've been blessed with great friendships and role models because of golf. The guys on the high school team never made me feel I wasn't good enough to play with them or told me I was too young. Watching those guys grow and mature in their game taught me that you never stop learning or growing as a player. I can remember being in the 3rd grade just wishing I could hurry up and be in the 7th grade so I could play on the team. 7th grade finally came, and I got to play one year with one of the guys that had carted me around since I was 5 years old. He was a senior my 7th grade year.  I started as the #5 guy on the team and before too long into the season I had made my way to the #3 spot. My 8th grade year I was the team's #1 guy all season. In April 2017 of my 8th grade year my Dad was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. My Dad passed away May 24th after a 13-month battle with cancer. Dad wasn't able to attend tournaments that year like he wanted, and he missed our State tournament, May 14th & 15th. He was put back in the hospital for the final time the morning of May 15th - the last day of State. He did know how we finished, though. I learned a lot about the game from him, and he will always be my biggest motivator.

My dream, for as long as I can remember, has been to play at the college level.  My goal is to obtain golf and academic scholarships that will enable me to pursue my dream and to complete my education. I would like to attend a University that will allow me to improve and grow academically and athletically. I look forward to the opportunity of developing new friendships with golfers that share the same interests and work ethic as me. I would like to be in a golf program with coaches and players that work together toward continuous improvement both on and off the course. I know I have a lot of growing to do, not only as an athlete but also as a person.