My grandfather, Stephen Skrenta (my mom’s dad), got me started in golf at the age of 3. He gifted me my first set of clubs. We would play at his home course on Long Island called Nissequogue Golf Club. My grandfather was a basketball player, and my great-grandfather was a professional baseball player who played catcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Our family has had a long line of athletes.
While I played many sports in elementary school and middle school, such as lacrosse, basketball, football and baseball, my highest enjoyment has always been with the game of golf.
I started to play in tournaments when I was 9 years old. When I was 12, I played in the U.S. Kids World Championship at Pinehurst. I went wire-to-wire to win my age division. That was the moment I realized just how much I loved to compete in golf championships. I continued to work on my game and played often.
Over the past three years, I have played in the U.S. Junior Amateur, Legends Junior Tour events like the Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship, Boys Junior PGA Championship, AJGA tournaments and even a few elite amateur events like the Southern Amateur.
I spend most of my time practicing at Maridoe Golf Club in Carrollton. It is a special golf club with 18 past, present and future Texas Longhorns. I recently verbally committed to the University of Texas, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to be a Longhorn and follow in their tradition and legacy.
What I’m most thankful for is how the Texas Golf Association has welcomed me and my family to Dallas when we were relocated for my dad’s law firm two years ago. They have made me feel like I have grown up with the TGA my entire childhood.