Josh Breland '21 Recruiting Profile

Hi Coaches, my name is Josh Breland. On December 25, 2012, I went to the driving range with my cousin for the first time. He let me use his golf clubs and his golf polo, and we went out, and I hit my first golf shot. Instantly I found this game of golf was going to become something more in my life. A week later he asked me to play a round of 9 holes with him at The Little Tee, and I had a blast. Basketball was my favorite sport at that time and had played it for many years, but the atmosphere and feeling that I felt when I played basketball was nothing compared to the way I felt when I went golfing. I told my mom that I would like to take a break from basketball to try golf and she was happy to see my honesty and fully supported my decision. The break from basketball turned out to be the end of my basketball career because golf completely replaced it. I played at The Little Course for two years having fun with the game and enjoying it. Not until the Summer of 2016 did I realize it was time for me to start playing serious golf. I had not played in any truly competitive tournaments at that time other than school matches or small events at the Little Course. I worked very hard, many hours at the local public golf course near my home but that was just not enough. Then in the summer of 2017, my parents made a deal with me. If playing golf in college and beyond was my dream then they would want to do whatever possible to make my dream come true. They let me become a Junior Member at Westhaven Golf Club as long as I was willing to pay for half of my monthly membership. Enthralled, I immediately started my lawn-mowing business in order to save money. That Summer I played every day, balancing my time on the course, time with my family, and my time working. However, all that time that I spent between lessons, practicing, and playing I did not know that I could’ve been competing in tournaments. I sat down with my parents and coaches asking them what I must do in order to pursue golf and take my game to the highest level. My coach, Ben Pellicani, invited me to play with his junior club team, Team 615. This was the start of my dream becoming a reality. I practiced with the Team 2-3 times a week and got to become friends with many great high school golfers in the area. The next step for me was playing competitive golf starting in the summer of 2018. I signed up for the Sned’s Tour and was fortunate to play in 8 different events. However, I didn’t play the way I expected to and started the season off with two scores in the 90s. Surprised by the high numbers I soon realized that I had never really felt the pressure of playing in 18 or 36 hole golf tournaments outside of school until that Summer of 2018. However, I kept working hard and spending all my time at the golf club knowing that if I worked hard enough, then I would be able to shoot in the 70s during a tournament. And all my hard work paid off and had my best finish at 6th place. That tournament I shot 74 in the second round. I was so excited that I had finally shot in the 70s during a tournament and it pushed me and gave me the encouragement to pursue my goal. Ever since last year, I have constantly been working on my game trusting that all the effort I put into golf, the passion and drive I have to play, all the hours that I spend in the sub 30 weather, and the choice to have the most positive attitude I can possibly have, will be worth it.

Instagram: @breland.josh