There is a long list of things that don’t bother Patch sophomore Jordan Holifield, now the two-time Stars and Stripes boys golf Athlete of the Year.
Being the new kid doesn’t bother Holifield.
In October of 2013, the new stateside transfer competed in the final match of the regular season before the European tournament. Coupled with his strong play in preceding weeks, the win he posted there made him a European title favorite.
His response? “My game’s been up and down lately,” he said at the time.
Trailing on the leaderboard doesn’t bother Holifield.
As a freshman last year, Holifield and Ramstein senior Everett Plocek were locked in a fierce duel at the European championship tournament. The two were tied 50-50 under the Stableford scoring system through 18 holes; Plocek pulled ahead by two points as they made the turn to the back nine.
And Holifield? He was “just playing golf,” he said at the time. “I knew I had to be down a couple with the way I was playing,” Holifield added.
He wasn’t for long. A strong finish to what he called a “solid” round gave Holifield the European title as a freshman.
Being the defending champion doesn’t bother Holifield.
After claiming the title as a freshman, Holifield entered his sophomore year as the obvious frontrunner to win again. A dominant regular season confirmed it.
So how did Holifield handle the pressure?
“I didn’t feel any difference,” Holifield said. “Just come out here and try to play my best, I guess.”
His best was plenty. While the previous season’s tournament was dramatic – for some, anyway, if not Holifield – this second title was all but a foregone conclusion from the first tee shot.
This time, he outpaced the field by 10 points.
Not even the weather bothers Holifield.
The persistent rain in Wiesbaden during this year’s tournament affected all players, equally, after all, not just Holifield. Besides, the inclement weather can be a positive thing: it forces the player to approach holes differently and “teaches you how to hit more shots,” Holifield said.
“If you can play right, it shouldn’t hurt you that much.”
As long as you don’t let it bother you, of course.
Twitter: @broomestripes