Athlete Turns to Golf To Control His Anger

By Dante Lipscomb

   Cory Landrum-Smith, a senior sociology major, is a star golfer and team captain at Saint Augustine's College. He started playing golf because of anger issues and has taken his skills to the next level where he’s a standout among his teammates and opponents.

   Cory has been playing golf for amount ten years, but he started playing football where his anger got him in trouble.

   "I was a hot head" Cory said. And that got him suspended from games.

   His stepdad thought it would be good for him to try golf, a relaxing sport, plus he knew a person who was giving lessons. He attended these golf classes for six weeks every Saturday. Cory got these lessons free because the instructor saw he had a natural talent for the game. After developing a better understanding of the sport, Cory started playing in local tournaments.

   Over the years, Cory had become really good. His handicap now is a 3 and he averages a 75 on the golf course. He constantly worked on his game and became so interested in golf that he transferred his last two years of high school from Fort Hayes High School for the Arts in Columbus, Ohio so he could play. He transferred to Gahanna Lincoln, a D1-A school in Gahanna, Ohio with about 3,500 students. That school was well known for its sports programs, and he saw this as a way to get some exposure for future endeavors.

   In this large mass of students, Cory Landrum-Smith still managed to be a standout among his fellow students, placing third in a local collegiate tournament. He received scholarship offers from Cleveland State, Youngstown State and front page recognition in the sports section of the newspaper for placing third again in another local tournament. Cory chose to come to Saint Augustine's College because they offered him the most financial aid.

   Cory practices three to five times a week. He goes out to the driving range and hits from one hundred to two hundred golf balls. He works on his putting for about 40 minutes then plays nine holes. He says he likes to practice playing on actual courses rather than the driving range because it gets him more in a rhythm to work on the mental aspect of the game.

   As a Falcon golfer, Cory has had success too. He’s the team’s top golfer. Although he’s had success as a Falcon golfer, it’s hard being a part of team that gets less attention than football, track and basketball.

 "I just wish the school paid more attention to the golf team", said Cory.Is Saint Augustine's neglecting the golf team? "I wouldn't say neglecting, just not paying much attention". Cory, now a senior, just wants the school to recognize golfer's talents and give more to the program

  The home course that the team uses is in Clayton, NC is the Pine Hollow Golf Club, but it’s about 13 miles from campus.

  "The only way we can get to practice is if someone drives and then we have to pay for the gas. "Other teams get a bus or some kind of shuttle,” he said. Cory says he would just like to be reimbursed for the gas he uses.

   When Cory graduates in May, he hopes to take his talents to the PGA tour. He has already taken steps to make this happen. A few of those steps are entering PGA tournaments, placing in those tournaments, find a sponsor, and a home golf course, and just networking with other people to try and get his foot in the door. If this doesn't work out, he would like to work with children helping them with family problems they may have in a big brother kind of system.

  Cory said he would like for Saint Aug students to come out and support the team. Some of the tournaments are far away, but Cory feels it’s worth it to get to see another kind of athlete trying hard to make it to the pros and live out a dream.