Samuel Taylor '20 Recruiting Profile

    Making the NYSPHSAA State Tournament as an eighth grader was a key component to how I view the game of golf today as a high school junior.  By making the state team in eighth grade, I began to believe in myself and my ability.  However, I feel I grew most when I had to grind to make it back to the state tournament my freshman year. It didn't come as easily to me that year, but it was a lesson learned that I need to constantly work on my game. Fast forward to my sophomore year and the following summer; the struggle became more real than I had ever imagined.  After again making the state team, I began to struggle in earnest. I grew approx.  7 inches in a short amount of time which caused my swing to change, especially with my driver. This past summer I have worked diligently on once more becoming comfortable over the ball all while continuing to sharpen my short game. This has allowed me to refocus and keep growing as an athlete and as an individual. Throughout my golf career, I've grown as a golfer, but, more importantly, as a person. I realize how much hard work, time, and dedication it takes to be good at anything I do in life. Being a two-sport athlete, golf and basketball, and playing the piano since Kindergarten, I realize it takes time to become good at anything I set my mind to.  

    I think I have what it takes to play golf at the collegiate level.  After a tournament win or loss, I am out working on what I did poorly that day. Since the age of three, I have lived in a home with a golf course in my back yard.  My father is manager/superintendent of this course. This has allowed me to always be able to work on my game.  However, coming from a northern climate, I would love to be able to play collegiate golf where I could improve my game all year long.