Junior Golf - John Catlin

In late December, it's customary to evaluate the events of the past year and think about what we want to accomplish in the coming year. New Year's resolutions are an attempt to improve our lives and answer some of the questions we are left with at the end of each year. “What do I want to do better? What would make me happier? How can I improve my life”? While I won't pretend to know the answers, or even how to keep a New Years resolution, I do know that the quickest resolutions to be broken are usually hastily formed and poorly thought-out. This hard to swallow truth has led me to an epiphany - that my own resolutions, without proper planning and execution, are nothing more than broken promises to myself.

Fred (Mr.) Rogers once noted, “What makes the difference between wishing and realizing our wishes? Lots of things. It may take months, or years, for a wish to come true. But it's far more likely to happen when you care so much about a wish that you'll do all you can to make it happen.”

When you make a resolution about your ideal future that you want to come true and you decide to turn it into a reality, the process of the goal becomes the motivation to turn this vision into a reality. By knowing precisely what you want to achieve, you know where you have to concentrate your efforts. Properly set goals can be incredibly motivating as you achieve each step along the way toward your goal. Setting and achieving goals quickly builds your confidence and promotes attaining and setting new goals.

Sometimes determination to accomplish your goals starts with an action. For instance, the first American female runner to win three gold medals at a single Olympics, Wilma Rudolph, said, “I ran and ran and ran every day, and I acquired this sense of determination. This sense of spirit that I would never, never give up, no matter what else happened.”

After speaking with local junior golfer and Jesuit High School senior, John Catlin, I was impressed with his sense of determination and spirit that carries him toward the goals he has set for himself. He didn't just make up a goal and quickly put it in to action. It's been a process. He has properly set out the necessary steps towards reaching his goal to play on the PGA Tour. The road to his future is neither short, nor easy, but his determination and ability to persevere will surely put him on the right path to reaching his goal.

A product of the First Tee of Sacramento, John credits the emphasis on Life Skills and Core Values taught by the First Tee Program as an influence to his accomplishments. John's resume, as stated on the University of New Mexico athletic web site, includes:

John Catlin - Carmichael, Calif. (Jesuit HS)

“Senior at Jesuit HS in Carmichael, Calif...ranked 31st in class of 2009 by GolfWeek...1st Overall – Future Collegians World Tour (FCWT) in Turkey Creek, Calif., in February 2008...4th Place - AJGA Ping Phoenix, August 2008...one top five finish and four top 10 finishes in nine starts in AJGA tournaments...2nd Place, Walmart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, September 2008...four top five finishes in seven starts on the Future Collegians World Tour...one Top 5 finish in his only start on the International Junior Golf Tour (PGA West – December 2007)...invited to the AJGA Ping Invitational (Karsten Creek, Okla. – September 2008) and the AJGA Polo Invitational (Ginn Reunion Resort, Fla. - November 2008)...Future Collegians World Tour second team All American...2008 Delta River League MVP...2008 & 2007 MVP Jesuit High School Varsity Golf...2006 MVP Jesuit High School Junior Varsity Golf...2008 All-Metro-1st Team and 2007 All Metro-2nd Team.”

While, at first blush, impressive, his accomplishments are similar to other junior golfers with aspirations of earning their tour card for the PGA. What makes John different is his approach to being the best and his plan to accomplish his goals. Within the First Tee Program, there are different skill levels junior golfers can attain, including “Par”, “Birdie”, “Eagle”, and “Ace”. To reach a higher level, you must complete assigned projects, pass golf skills and written tests, and volunteer for more than 50 hours of community service. Across the United States, less than 10 individuals have made it to the “Ace” level. John is on target to reach the “Ace” level by the end of summer, just before leaving to attend the college at the University of New Mexico (UNM), where he has been offered an 80% athletic scholarship starting in the fall of 2009.

John picked UNM for their accomplishments as a golf team, the facility, the team members, the coaches, and academics. Besides graduating from UNM, his goals include being a traveling member of the team and being selected as an “Academic All-American” athlete all four years. Qualifiers for this prestigious award must have a 3.2 grade point average. He notes his sense of competition and doing his best in all his endeavors as key to reaching these lofty goals.

The University of New Mexico provides its players with state of the art indoor and outdoor practice facilities. So, John's plan, when he qualifies for the PGA Tour, is that he will come back to New Mexico and utilize these facilities throughout his career. Many current PGA professionals use this same facility - which John sees as an added bonus for him. Being able to have access to these talented players, getting to know them on a more personal level and seeking out advice from them will only help him be a better player.

When talking about his golf game, John stated, “I am not much of a mechanics guy. But I beat a lot of people because I don't give up. I keep on grinding.” Isn't that exactly what setting a goal is all about? Tommy Lasorda says, “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination.” While John consistently shoots in the low 70's (and has an all-time low round of 64 at Del Paso Country Club), John cited an example where his determination came out. It was during a tournament several years ago, where he carded 87 and 85 in his first two rounds. Knowing these scores weren't great, he also noticed he wasn't too far out of contention, and with determination and “grinding”, he managed to finish his final round with a 73. Proving to himself that sticking to a plan, playing shot by shot, and not giving up could put him back in the game and competition.

His determination is obvious while he talks about his future. He has set the plan and is continuing to climb the steps toward his goals. With each “New Year”, John is one step closer to his dream job. John's example of staying focused on the goal through determination inspires me as my New Year's resolutions and goals are put in place. I expect John to be playing golf “behind the ropes” someday - and I will be rooting for him all the way. As well as rooting for each one of you to get back in the game, make a plan and accomplish your goals and dreams in 2009!