AUBURN - For the past six years, Ryan May has been one of the cornerstones of the Auburn golf team.
“He has the skills,” Auburn coach Tony Locastro said. “He is a very intelligent player and has a good eye for what needs to be done, what needs to be done on the course.”
May, 17, who got his start on the greens at the age of 6, has been hooked on the game ever since.
“It is in the blood,” May said. “I got started because my family plays a lot. It is just something I've done pretty much my whole life. I just like that I can go out there and have fun playing. For me it is very relaxing.”
By the time he was a teenager, May was competing regularly in local tournaments and Syracuse-based events.
“When I was 13 I started getting more focused on golf,” may said. “I kind of stopped with other sports and began to focus a lot more on golf and I got more interested in the more competitive side of things. I entered a bunch of different tournaments and did pretty well.”
Back-to-back years, at ages 14 and 15, May took home the Bobby Hoey Tournament trophy.
“I've been lucky,” May said. “I've been able to play pretty well and be pretty successful.”
By the time he was in seventh grade, May found himself a member of the high school varsity team.
“I think I've been able to play pretty well,” May said. “This is my sixth year already. I've just always tried to focus on playing well.”
For the past two seasons, May has served as team captain.
“I just try to be a good role model,” May said.
“I just try to be easy going and not get too worried about things and just be an easy going captain.”
Along the way, May has proven himself to be a valuable asset to the team.
“For the last three years at our qualifying tournaments before high school play he has been par or under by one or two stokes,” Locastro said. “He knows how to play the course very well.”
May has made his way to sectionals all but his freshman season and for the last two years, getting over the hump to states has just barely eluded him.
“I've done pretty well,” May said. “Two years ago I was in the 70s. Last year I didn't play so well and was in the 80s. But I've just been missing states by four or five strokes.”
Thus far, May is off to a good start this season.
“I've been in the 30s all year,” May said. “I can't really complain, I'm just focused on playing well the rest of the year.”
But sectionals and making it to states, to be played at the Robert Trent Jones course at Cornell University, is definitely on his mind as his senior year plays out.
“That is a really big goal for me,” May said. “I really want to do well in sectionals this year and make it to states for my senior year and to give coach something back too before he retires, so I'm definitely thinking about that.”
Locastro has a great deal of faith in May and his game.
“He has been playing well,” Locastro said. “Being his senior year I'm hoping that this year is his year to make it to Cornell and I really hope he can get there.”
While he has yet to make any decisions, May said several colleges have expressed interest in him and right now is focusing on having a strong season and keeping his game tight as sectionals approach.
“I just want to keep playing well,” May said. “If I do I think more letters (from colleges) will come in. Right now I'm just trying to go from day to day and keep my regular composure and try to play as well as I can.”
May, 17, who got his start on the greens at the age of 6, has been hooked on the game ever since.
“It is in the blood,” May said. “I got started because my family plays a lot. It is just something I've done pretty much my whole life. I just like that I can go out there and have fun playing. For me it is very relaxing.”
By the time he was a teenager, May was competing regularly in local tournaments and Syracuse-based events.
“When I was 13 I started getting more focused on golf,” may said. “I kind of stopped with other sports and began to focus a lot more on golf and I got more interested in the more competitive side of things. I entered a bunch of different tournaments and did pretty well.”
Back-to-back years, at ages 14 and 15, May took home the Bobby Hoey Tournament trophy.
“I've been lucky,” May said. “I've been able to play pretty well and be pretty successful.”
By the time he was in seventh grade, May found himself a member of the high school varsity team.
“I think I've been able to play pretty well,” May said. “This is my sixth year already. I've just always tried to focus on playing well.”
For the past two seasons, May has served as team captain.
“I just try to be a good role model,” May said.
“I just try to be easy going and not get too worried about things and just be an easy going captain.”
Along the way, May has proven himself to be a valuable asset to the team.
“For the last three years at our qualifying tournaments before high school play he has been par or under by one or two stokes,” Locastro said. “He knows how to play the course very well.”
May has made his way to sectionals all but his freshman season and for the last two years, getting over the hump to states has just barely eluded him.
“I've done pretty well,” May said. “Two years ago I was in the 70s. Last year I didn't play so well and was in the 80s. But I've just been missing states by four or five strokes.”
Thus far, May is off to a good start this season.
“I've been in the 30s all year,” May said. “I can't really complain, I'm just focused on playing well the rest of the year.”
But sectionals and making it to states, to be played at the Robert Trent Jones course at Cornell University, is definitely on his mind as his senior year plays out.
“That is a really big goal for me,” May said. “I really want to do well in sectionals this year and make it to states for my senior year and to give coach something back too before he retires, so I'm definitely thinking about that.”
Locastro has a great deal of faith in May and his game.
“He has been playing well,” Locastro said. “Being his senior year I'm hoping that this year is his year to make it to Cornell and I really hope he can get there.”
While he has yet to make any decisions, May said several colleges have expressed interest in him and right now is focusing on having a strong season and keeping his game tight as sectionals approach.
“I just want to keep playing well,” May said. “If I do I think more letters (from colleges) will come in. Right now I'm just trying to go from day to day and keep my regular composure and try to play as well as I can.”
