Gage DeCook '11 Recruiting Profile

I'm Gage DeCook, a senior at Riverdale High School in Port Byron, Illinois. Golf is more than just a sport to me, it has taught me patience, determination, and perseverance; simple attributes that will help me throughout the duration of my life. The summer before my high school freshman year I broke my arm in a summer league basketball game. What seemed terrible at the time was actually one of the best things that could have happened to me. I'm a competitor, so I didn't let it keep me from starting my high school golf career with a cast on my arm. I had a decent year of golf for a freshman who had never played a round before the first meet. I improved 8 strokes between my freshman year and sophomore year. In my junior year, my average was 40.7 and qualified for state. As a senior I've averaged 37.7 on 9 holes and took 2nd place in four major tournaments. My highlight, however, was a 31 on the back nine at Regionals. I shot a 42 on the front and was disappointed going into the turn. I birdied 11, 12, 13, 16 and 18 to shoot an overall school record five under. Golf is a game of ups and downs. I live for the good days and work hard to limit the bad days. At the close of my senior golf career, it only confirmed that I needed to continue to play competitively. I've been voted most dedicated for three years straight and I intend to keep that title. As a college freshman, my goal is to take my game to the next level and earn my way to the top. Academics have always been number one. I would like a school that offers an engineering major or 3/2 pre-engineering program with a major in physics. My grade point average is 4.23 on a 4.33 and my ACT score is a 26. I don't have a particular preference between a big or small school. Currently, Division II, III or NAIA schools are realistic from an athletic standpoint.