Golf is a more than a sport, it’s a lifestyle for Patrick Owens, a senior at RHS. For as long as he can remember, he’s had a club in his hands.
Last spring, Ridgewood decided to end our golf program due to low numbers. This didn’t stop Owens from finishing his high school golf career. Despite the program ending, we wanted Owens and the other golfers to still get the opportunity to golf.
Ridgewood Athletic Director, Robert St. John created a partnership with Guerin College Prep to ensure these students still had the opportunity to do what they love.
“I am thrilled that Patrick was able to complete his four year golf career with such a high level of success! Patrick is such a terrific young man and I know shutting our program down was not ideal for him. Patrick (and Tommy and Mike) all made the most out of the opportunity we were able to provide. Earning MSC All-Conference honors and advancing to the IHSA Sectional Championship is a fitting end to a wonderful golf career. I’m very proud of you Patrick!” said St. John.
Owens managed to take an unfortunate circumstance and continued to have a successful senior season. We sat down with Owens to discuss his high school golf career, future plans and learned a few tidbits about him.
Q: How long have you been golfing?
A: I’ve been golfing my whole life. I think I was about 3 years old the first time I swung a golf club. My dad golfs, so I’ve been going with him as long as I can remember and just hitting the ball.
Q: What year was your best season?
A: I made it to Sectionals my freshman, sophomore and senior year. I shot around 4 over par (39-40) my junior year.
Q: What was your initial reaction when you found out we were ending the golf program?
A: At first, I was disappointed because it was going to be my senior year. But then I thought about it and I understood the reasoning more. I’m just grateful I was able to continue to play through my senior year.
Q: How has your experience with Guerin Prep?
A: I made the most out of my experience with Guerin. It was alright; it was just a different kind of experience than what I was used to. I was fortunate I was able to play with one of my good friends, Tommy, this year and have this experience with him.
Q: If you could be any type of animal what would you be and why?
A: The animal I would be is a deer, but more specifically a buck. The reason for this is because they live in the wild without a care in the world, but when they need to defend themselves they can.
Q: Are you wanting to continue your golf career after RHS?
A: I plan to major in architecture. One of the schools I’m looking at would allow me the opportunity to continue to play baseball and golf in college.
Q: What was your best memory during high school golf?
A: During freshman golf we went to Wisconsin for regionals. We got to stay in a hotel and ordered Gino’s East pizza and the hotel had a pool. We still had a pretty good size team and it was a great experience.
Q: When you're not golfing — what is your favorite thing to do?
A: Outside of golf, my favorite thing to do is either walk my dog at the woods or playing guitar for hours without end.
Q: Do you have any pre-match rituals?
A: I used to watch a movie clip from the Legend of Bagger Vance when the golfer was having a rough round and his caddy told him that his hands are wiser than his head was ever going to be.This spoke to me a lot, not only with golf.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: My favorite quote is from Johnny Cash and it says “son, this world is rough, if a mans gonna make it, he’s gotta be tough.”
Q: Where is the #1 place you would like to visit?
A: I would like to travel is Alaska because it’s the last frontier that is untouched by people. There are 57 million acres of deep woods that no one has messed with.
Q: What was your main goal going into this season?
A: My goal was All-Conference; to make it 4 years in a row. I was All-Conference all four years and came in 2nd at the conference championship junior year and came in 3rd senior year.