Matt pg 9 9-13-12
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- Category: Past Issues
By Ron P. Coderre
During his relatively brief golf career, 22 year old Thompson native Matt Smith has enjoyed many triumphant moments on the golf course. Despite his numerous successes, the pleasant and affable Smith is planning the next steps in his career. With the dream of someday playing on the PGA Tour, he’s reaching higher as he strives for the next plateau.
Matt Smith’s life as a golfer started at the ripe old age of 4, when he’d accompany his dad Dale, an accomplished golfer, to the driving range to hit golf balls. By the age of 6 he was playing on the links with his dad, in the evening or on off times when the course wasn’t busy. By the age of 9 he was engaged in competitive events, which led him on a path in which he was rewarded with a golf scholarship to the University of Hartford.
Now that his high school and college playing days are behind him, Smith is preparing for some more grueling and disciplined practice and competition as he looks forward to fulfilling a dream he’s nourished since early childhood.
In June 2012, Smith captured the prestigious Connecticut Amateur Championship, which was played at Racebrook Golf Club in Orange. The victory was somewhat sweet revenge, as in 2011 he had reached the final round only to lose in a very tight match.
“Winning the Connecticut Amateur was a big boost for my confidence. I proved to myself that I could compete on a very high level. It was also very satisfying following last year’s loss,” said Smith.
With the Amateur in his rear view window, Smith is looking forward. But before moving on however, he can relish victories he’s achieved along the way. In 2011 he was crowned the Quinnatisset Country Club champion, captured the Norwich Invitational title as well as the Connecticut National Golf Club Clambake Invitational. He and his dad are three-time winners of the Connecticut Father/Son Tournament, which they claimed in 2007, 2008 and 2010.
The golf relationship he enjoys with his father and the support he receives from his mother, Peggy don’t go unnoticed.
“My parents have been very supportive of my golf career, often sacrificing so that I can continue to pursue my goal. They’re always positive and encouraging. I’ve learned so much about golf from my father not only about my mechanics but also about how to conduct myself as a professional on and off the course,” said Smith.
During his four years in high school at Tourtellotte, Smith was coached by his father and enjoyed the luxury of playing with other good golfers. The 2008 Tourtellotte graduate was named All-State twice, won the Eastern Connecticut Conference Open as a sophomore and junior and culminated his four years by winning the New England High School Championship at Bretwood Golf Club in New Hampshire. He also was crowned US Challenge Cup champ in competition played in Rhode Island.
“After high school I had a number of colleges looking at me. I looked seriously at UConn, St. John’s and Hartford before making my decision. I chose Hartford because of the schedule they play and the locations around the country that they play,” said Smith about his college choice.
Under coach Pete Stankevich, Smith played four years for the Hawks, achieving the team’s number one ranking in his junior and senior years. During his college years he added to his personal titles, winning The Classic at Shelter Harbor as a junior and the New England Division I Championship at Newport National as a senior. He left Hartford with a 72.3 stroke average and a school record 11 rounds at par or better.
Armed with his bachelor’s degree in advertising and public relations from the University of Hartford Smith is confident that now is the time to put all his golf balls in one basket, so to speak, and take a major step toward achieving his dream. Sometime around the beginning of November he’ll head to Jupiter, Fla., where he’ll make his home through the end of March. In the Sunshine State his days will be filled entirely with golf.
The plan is to practice daily by replicating routines, swings, putting strokes and anything else it will take to get to Q School. He’ll earn his way by caddying and playing on mini-tour events on the Golf Swinger Tour. Although he’s not the “home sick” type, Smith will rely on visitors and friends he has in Florida as his New England medicine. His daily routine will also include some moderate exercise with weights, stretching and jogging to stay in good physical condition.
If things fall into place as Smith is planning, he hopes to be in Q School by the fall of 2013. Successful completion of Q School will make him eligible for the Web.com Tour, formerly known as the Nationwide Tour. Ultimately he hopes this road will lead to the PGA Tour.
Currently Smith is occupied working at Connecticut National Golf Club under the guidance of Club Professional Jim West. He manages a minimum of 18 holes of golf everyday with either West, former UConn golfer Bret Siekierski, Pat Kezelka of Windham and his good friend former Woodstock Academy golfer and current member of the Williams College golf team Cody Semmelrock.
His personal hours are spent with his parents and sister, Meg and his girl friend Nancy Garrett, a teacher in Windsor Locks, who is “supportive of my goal.”
In a few weeks and months, Matt Smith will be in Florida against the likes of others who share a similar dream. The names won’t be West, Siekierski, Kezelka or Semmelrock, the tournaments won’t be Norwich or Shelter Harbor and the courses won’t be Quinnatisset, Connecticut National or Raceway. But some things will be constant. The golfers will all be chasing their dreams. The courses will all have 18 holes. And winning a tournament will still have meaning.
The steady and methodical road that Matt Smith has followed has prepared him well for what lies ahead in his future. His head is securely connected to his body. And the support of family and friends in northeastern Connecticut will help carry him to the type of success he’s enjoyed throughout his golf career.