18 Questions With Cory Whitsett

On Friday, July 18, 2007, Cory Whitsett hoisted the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship trophy. This week Whitsett sets out to win the 61st U.S. Junior Amateur title at Shoal Creek in Alabama. The reigning champion gives his thoughts on a number of topics — mostly golf — in advance of this year’s championship.

The reigning U.S. Juniors Amateur champion, how often have you been introduced like that and what’s your reaction?

Cory Whitsett: I haven't been introduced like that very much, but when I am I feel a great sense of accomplishment, but I also know there is a certain expectation along with that.

Do you have any golf superstitions you care to share?

Whitsett: I really don't have any superstitions.

Is there a favorite quote that you adhere to or what’s the best advice you’ve been given?

Whitsett: The best advice I've ever been given is that golf is a process and a long road, have patience and enjoy every day of it.

What is your favorite club in the bag? And what kind is it?

Whitsett: My favorite club is my Titleist Vokey Design lob wedge.

How about your favorite course?

Whitsett: The Olympic Club Lake Course.

Did winning the U.S. Junior Amateur title put any more pressure on you?

Whitsett: At first I put more pressure on myself, but now I don't because it isn't effective in yielding better results.

Where is your gold medal for winning the U.S. Juniors Am displayed? And the trophy?

Whitsett: They are both on a table in the front hall of my family's house.

What’s been your biggest “Wow!” moment as a golfer?

Whitsett: Making a hole-in-one at the 2006 U.S. Junior Amateur.

Given the importance of junior golf, do players need to promote themselves in order to get attention?

Whitsett: Absolutely not. If you work on your game diligently, people will take notice. If you take care of business, business will take care of itself.

What colleges interest you the most? Or are you giving away valuable information?

Whitsett: That's pretty valuable info [laughter]. Don't worry, the people who need to know where I am looking know.

In the immediate aftermath of winning a championship, every champion says. “It feels great,” or “I can’t believe it,” but it takes some distance to fully appreciate what you accomplished. When did that come for you after winning the U.S. Junior Amateur?

Whitsett: I guess it did after I saw the way the members at my club and all my friends and family took note of it and told me how cool it was. Also after I saw that guy named Tiger on the trophy three times.

How did you celebrate winning the U.S. Junior Amateur?

Whitsett: By beating the East team at the Canon Cup the next week.

What’s your closest encounter with greatness? Someone you’ve met that made you just step back and say, “Wow, that was pretty neat.”

Whitsett: I hit balls next to Tom Watson once, and I also met Gary Player.

What’s the best part of your game?

Whitsett: My iron play and short game because I can always fall back on it.

What do you like to do when you’re not playing golf?

Whitsett: Watch college sports, especially football.

Is there a player, male or female, who you try to pattern your game or demeanor after?

Whitsett: I would like to hit it like Ben Hogan, and pitch, chip, and putt like Tiger [Woods].

OK, you have 24 hours in a day; break them down, what do you do — and how much relates to golf?

Whitsett: On a normal school day, school is about one-fourth, sleeping is probably one-third, golf is one-fourth to one-sixth (depends on the time of year), and the other few hours all depend upon what I have to do.

You come from Houston, which is the hotbed of golf history. How much of that history do you try and learn?

Whitsett: I don't try to consume too much of it, but I do know Texas produces good golfers, just look at the USGA champions list from 2007.