Spring Break
Senior golf captain putts to glory with 'soft hands,' 'delicate touch'
Joe Savastano
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: Sports
10/09/08 - Mark Stevens has always loved to golf. The senior captain of the University of Rhode Island golf team recalls the "simple" times of yesteryear, when the course was his daycare and he would be out on the links from dawn until dusk.
"I was about 8 years old and I really loved playing," Stevens said. "My parents would drop me off at the course in the morning and pick me up at night. I really miss those days. Golf was pure and life was simple."
Stevens, 21, credits his physical stamina, required to complete a college golf tournament, to his time spent on the course as a kid. URI regularly plays 54-hole tournaments over only two days. On Saturdays they play 36 holes and on Sunday they play the final 18.
"All the work I put in before college really helped," Stevens said. "Those summers when I would get dropped off I would play at least 36 [holes] a day, sometimes 54 in one day."
Stevens' uncle Willy from New Hampshire, with whom he'd play at least a round a week before going off to college, was a regular contender in New Hampshire amateur championships. Willy served as his nephew's inspiration.
"He pushed me by telling me I could do it," Stevens said of his uncle. "He was a boost of confidence. He would take me out to play nine [holes] at night and try hard to beat me. I had some great matches that ended in the dark with old Uncle Willy."
His uncle may have tried to compete, but by his mid-teenage years Stevens was consistently shooting in the 70s and was too strong for anybody in his family.
"Uncle Willy used to have my number. He could beat me with his eyes closed. Nowadays, it's Mark Stevens and nobody else."
With the team practicing 20 hours a week and playing tournaments some weekends, Stevens jokes that he doesn't even know what a social life is. He backs up, though, and shares that he does make time for friends and "the lady folk."
Stevens said he had a girlfriend, but it didn't work out because she wasn't ready for the kind of commitment he was looking for. As for now, he describes himself as "single and ready to mingle."
Stevens joked that his next girlfriend will enjoy his "delicate touch" and "soft hands." You know, when they're watching him putt.
With his free time, he likes to watch the Red Sox and play games recreationally with his friends, such as football and wiffle-ball. "And of course, the ancient art of finger painting," he added.
Because the team spends so much time together, Stevens has also grown close with his coach, Tom Drennan, and several teammates he considers "close friends."
As for a future in golf, Stevens said that while it's unlikely he'll be able to turn pro, he does want to stay around the game.
"I would really like to work at a golf course in some capacity," Stevens said. "I could see myself being the general manager, director of golf, or possibly a member of the GCSSA (Golf Course Superintendents Association of America). Any would be fine with me, but I am happiest at a golf course."
"I was about 8 years old and I really loved playing," Stevens said. "My parents would drop me off at the course in the morning and pick me up at night. I really miss those days. Golf was pure and life was simple."
Stevens, 21, credits his physical stamina, required to complete a college golf tournament, to his time spent on the course as a kid. URI regularly plays 54-hole tournaments over only two days. On Saturdays they play 36 holes and on Sunday they play the final 18.
"All the work I put in before college really helped," Stevens said. "Those summers when I would get dropped off I would play at least 36 [holes] a day, sometimes 54 in one day."
Stevens' uncle Willy from New Hampshire, with whom he'd play at least a round a week before going off to college, was a regular contender in New Hampshire amateur championships. Willy served as his nephew's inspiration.
"He pushed me by telling me I could do it," Stevens said of his uncle. "He was a boost of confidence. He would take me out to play nine [holes] at night and try hard to beat me. I had some great matches that ended in the dark with old Uncle Willy."
His uncle may have tried to compete, but by his mid-teenage years Stevens was consistently shooting in the 70s and was too strong for anybody in his family.
"Uncle Willy used to have my number. He could beat me with his eyes closed. Nowadays, it's Mark Stevens and nobody else."
With the team practicing 20 hours a week and playing tournaments some weekends, Stevens jokes that he doesn't even know what a social life is. He backs up, though, and shares that he does make time for friends and "the lady folk."
Stevens said he had a girlfriend, but it didn't work out because she wasn't ready for the kind of commitment he was looking for. As for now, he describes himself as "single and ready to mingle."
Stevens joked that his next girlfriend will enjoy his "delicate touch" and "soft hands." You know, when they're watching him putt.
With his free time, he likes to watch the Red Sox and play games recreationally with his friends, such as football and wiffle-ball. "And of course, the ancient art of finger painting," he added.
Because the team spends so much time together, Stevens has also grown close with his coach, Tom Drennan, and several teammates he considers "close friends."
As for a future in golf, Stevens said that while it's unlikely he'll be able to turn pro, he does want to stay around the game.
"I would really like to work at a golf course in some capacity," Stevens said. "I could see myself being the general manager, director of golf, or possibly a member of the GCSSA (Golf Course Superintendents Association of America). Any would be fine with me, but I am happiest at a golf course."
