the start of something...

my passion for a sport

You might be asking...how did this all start and why an annual golf tournament?

Well, I started golfing when I was 5 just so I could spend more time with my Dad and Uncle on their golfing weekends.  It worked - My Dad is still there with me on the courses (maybe not always playing), but watching me play on various junior tours and events throughout the country.

I have had a lot of success in the game, such as:

  • Nailing a 25-foot putt to qualify for the US Open Qualifer this year- and ranking #2 in the state in Golfweek.
  • Finishing 2nd and following that up with a playoff victory in the IJGT Tour Championship at Grand Cypress, FL in 2006 and 2007.  
  • Last year I just missed qualifying for the US Junior Amateur- placing 6th in the qualifier and losing in a playoff for the alternate spot. 
  • I also had a decent performance at the US Amateur Qualifier... shooting 76-83 and placing 60th out of 120.

My biggest golf accomplishment was shooting 69-68-67 and finishing 2nd at the 2006 US Kids World Championships in Pinehurst, NC.  I followed that up this year with a 7th place finish on Pinehurst No. 8.  I still had a chance right up until the end - and that is all you can hope for in the game of golf.
putting that passion to great use
However, this success that I have had on and off the course is due to 
my great Support team: 
  • My Dad - who organizes all my trips, lessons and equipment changes. 
  • My Mom - who doesn't let me forget the importance of my school work and faith and doesn't let me forget the person I want to be. 
  • My Sisters -  who have made sacrifices to pick up my passion for the game.
  • My instructor, Dom DiJulia - who teaches me in a language I understand and shares the same passion for the game as I do.
  • The golf professionals at Jericho National Golf Club
  • The Fox Chase Cancer Center

You might say, "Why is Fox Chase Cancer Center part of your Support Team?  Well, that is because Fox Chase is helping my Mom fight Colon Cancer. They have done a remarkable job with my Mom and I would like to help them help the next person and their family that is diagnosed with Cancer.

You see, I never really knew anyone that had cancer nor did I really understand what it was.  Now that I know how painful and distructive it can be, I want to help.   That is why, I have started -" Zach Attacks Cancer". 

So my goal is to be part of their support team! Their motto is "Fighting Cancer is all we do. All day. Every day." And the best way that I know how to help is to do what I do everyday... golf.  Therefore, one of my fundraisers is a golf tournament set each year for June.