Young Golfer Has Big Dream
4/10/2014 10:35:00 PM | Men's Golf
JED BICK
Special to CofC Athletics Communications
DADE CITY, Fla. – John Jonas has lofty aspirations to find himself playing in the most important major golf has to offer.
The College of Charleston golfer has always dreamt of competing for the green jacket at The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.
The 5-foot-6 sophomore grinned widely when asked specifically about that goal.
“As a golfer, the dream is always Augusta, especially here in the southern United States,” said Jonas after finishing off his final round at 4-under par at the University of South Florida Invitational at Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club on March 4. “For me, just playing in The Masters would be amazing, and sinking the winning putt would be icing on the cake.”
Getting on the PGA Tour would be no easy task and would take a lot of work, but CofC Assistant Coach Henry Smart feels Jonas has what it takes to make it.
“He's got no weaknesses in his game which is already a good sign,” Smart said. “You look at the guys out on the tour, it's not the great things they do, it's the fact that they have no weaknesses.”
Jonas describes the strengths in his golf game as wedges and his short game like chipping and putting. These assets are exactly what Smart feels separates PGA Tour players from all the others.
“You've just got to wedge the ball so well,” Smart said. “These guys here in the NCAA hit it just as well as the guys out on the PGA Tour, so you've got to wedge and putt it better, and that's what we focus our practices around.”
Smart's admiration for Jonas comes from how the native of Jacksonville, Fla., brings it day-in and day-out on the course.
“I really like how he brings consistency and how he fights out there,” he said. “Even if he gets a couple over, he really grinds it out to make sure his final score helps the team which is a huge advantage in college golf.”
It also helps that the talented 20 year old received CAA Men's Golfer of the Month honors in February.
The confidence is obviously contagious throughout the team as the positive relationship between the coaches and the CofC players is clearly evident.
“They've really helped me a lot,” Jonas said. “They give a lot of confidence on the golf course and they definitely have not only helped me today, but throughout my career as well.”
Players Mentioned
