Local Pro’s Son Becoming Star at ODU
Written By: Ben Decowski
Senior Writer
Old Dominion University has an up and coming star in sophomore golfer John Dawson, who just finished tied forseventh at the Joe Agee Invitational. Golf has always been a part of John Dawson’s life. “My dad was a local professional in Virginia Beach and he’d basically just take me to the golf course when I was real young,” said Dawson, who has been playing golf since he was fouryears old. The game was introduced to him by his father, Reynolds Dawson. Dawson said his father, “Really taught me everything I know.”
Dawson is a local from Chesapeake where he attended Hickory High School before coming to ODU. In high school, Dawson had his fair share of success. He went to the Virginia AAA State Championship all four years, and he also won the Southeastern District title three years in a row.
Dawson’s local ties are what drew him to ODU upon graduation. “I’m from the area, and I mean I like the campus,” said Dawson, “I’ve been a fan all my life really, and I like the coach,the facilities and everything.”
However, not everything is about golf for Dawson. He understands the importance of his education saying that his top goal is to “graduate, that would be a good one.” Don’t be fooled though, golf is never far from Dawson’s mind. He was quick to say that he would go pro if the conditions are right. “I’ve got to get like a pretty good amount better, but it’s definitely a realistic goal,” said Dawson, “I’m going to, after I graduate, kind of evaluate where I am, based on if I think I have a decent shot at making it and making money.”
Dawson does admit to having his weaknesses. “I have mainly struggled with putting pretty much my whole life,” said Dawson but added that his weaknesses, “really varies week to week with me.” That is a fair assessment considering how much technique goes into golf and how many things can go wrong.
Dawson is always working on his game. Before every tournament, Dawson prepares by, “Practicing the days before and then really working on what my weaknesses are.” Dawson has even contributed his recent play to the changes he has made by working on his putting game. “Why I have been playing a lot better of recent is because I switched my putting method and everything and it’s really gotten my scores down a lot,” Dawson said.
Dawson even has a little bit of luck on his side, which always helps in golf. Once in 2009, Dawson made two hole-in-ones in one round and called it his favorite memory on the golf course. That is certainly impressive considering some golfers never get a hole-in-one in their entire life, let alone two in the same round.
John Dawson is certainly on the right path if he wants to become a pro golfer. Aside from hisseventh place finish at the Joe Agee Invitational, Dawson also played well at the VCU Shootout on Sept. 27 finishingfourty-seventh. If he can keep this level of play up as a sophomore and continue improving his game through his career as a Monarch, he could very well follow in the steps of his father and go pro. Dawson and the Monarchs finish up their season at the ODU Outerbanks Collegiate Invitational, which starts on Oct. 23 and continues through the 25.
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