While on the Course
Imagine the sun bursting through the trees, the smell of freshly cut grass as you tee the ball up for a round of golf in the cool air of a spring morning. “This is the game of golf in its finest and most exquisite time for most of the people and for me.” Gabe asserted with content. Golf is not just a game of sport, but it is a lifestyle. Golf requires practice, patience, and the correct state of mind.
Gabe Spach growing up knowing his passion towards golf, started when he was only two years old. Beside all those years of blood and sweat practices, he was given talent. In 2018, Gabe competed in 11 tournaments and 33 total rounds, stroke an average of 75.06, six rounds of even-par or under. Season-low round of six-under 66 at the Visit Stockton Pacific Invite, tied for 19thoverall at the Itani Quality Homes Collegiate with a score of 212, tied for 31stat the Missouri Tiger Invite by COG shooting 220.
Gabe decided to quit basketball, so he can put more focus on golf. “He is our security blanket this year, he is a pretty special player, and he feels like he is playing at the top of his game right now.” Roosevelt coach Max Rose said. Spach attended Roosevelt High School in his hometown of Seattle, completed his senior season in the spring of 2017 by finishing in a tie for 10thin the 3A WIAA state tournament. He was a four-year varsity winner and team MVP for all four years. Brought back the 2016 PNGA Boy’s Amateur title and was part of Roosevelt High School’s 2015 State Championship team. Gabe has successes and failures behind him, thanks to the steps behind, he is ready for the steps laid out in front of him. Gabe is an amazing player as well as a good captain, he was also coaching and providing lessons for many of his younger teammates. “For me, taking on the job as captain of this team, I have high expectations,” Spach stated, “to win the tournament individually. But the team always comes first.”
Picking the right set of clubs can be the key to your game, it would really make a tremendous difference. I always wondered which brand most of the pro golf player preferred using. From all the web and researches, most pro golf players go with Titleist. “Which brand of equipment do you prefer using?” I asked Gabe with curiosity. “I would prefer using Titleist.” Gabe claimed with assurance. It was just what I expected, it was like a a-ha moment.
The quality of the clubs does make a big difference. As for the pros, they had struggle with lower quality clubs that is for sure. It is always worth buying good quality clubs and get fitted with the right ones. You do not have to worry if you are using something besides Titleist like most of the pros. Personally, I was professionally fitted with TaylorMade and it was definitely worth paying for. It is really important to find the right fit of clubs for individuals and find the ones that you are solid with.
One of the most important part of golf is your mental stability. It is really important to keep calm during the game, and not get frustrated. People always have their bad days, even the pros. You just have to find your way back in to the game and move on. Even Tiger Woods can have bad days, but it is really important to be mentally stabilized during the game. “After having a bad shot it is important to stay in the present, focus on the task you have next, and focus on the next shot.” Gabe exclaimed. I remember there was this one time I was at Gabe’s house having a couple of beers and got in to the topic on golf. He said golf is really something else, it is more than just a physical sport, it is also a mental sport. He told me it was more than golf that he had learned but the mental stability. He became more patient as a person and helped him through a lot of situations.
The first time when I met Gabe was at a bar, he did not look too friendly. We barely spoke to each other. The second time when I met up with him it was a whole different story, first we had a beer, and we started a conversation. We talked about his sponsors, and types of equipment that he is using. After finishing two packs of bud light, we got pretty tipsy. We started talking about life, and really got to know each other. The conversation went on and on, it was getting really late. He then told me he needed to go to bed, I was really surprised because it was on a Friday night. The reason was because he has golf practice in the morning. “I literally practice every day in the morning, no joke”, Gabe giggled. He is the kind of person that answers every question with patience and gives the best advice. Unlike the majority of people of his age, Gabe is really mature, and he focuses on what he has to do. This is something that I need to learn from him. For a guy his age it is really hard to focus on task with all the influences around you, but he still managed to do it all.
During a golf match, it is super important to keep quiet during a golf swing, so the player can stay focused. It is disrespectful to make noises during a swing. Hitting the ball with the audience has always been my weakness. “Distractions are hard to completely block out, but it is important that you have to embrace them and not view them as a distraction. Narrowing your focus on your target before the shot helps block out the distractions.” Gabe proclaimed.
Knowing Gabe is really an honor. He has been the one answering all my questions and mysteries about golf beside my coach. He has been really patient just like a true pro golfer would be. He really did inspire me, he became more than a friend, a mentor.
Tee Time 