One week from today Matt Cuff will tee it up with the best golfers Section IV has to offer.
Been there, done that. Cuff, a varsity standout on the Union Springs golf team for five years, has played in the postseason each of the last four years. His focus is elsewhere.
He's aiming for something that's eluded him during his high school career: a league title for the Wolves.
“Matt always puts the team first,” head coach Todd Salls said. “He may come in as the medalist at a match, but his main concern is how the team's doing.”
They're doing just fine, largely thanks to Cuff. The Wolves are 6-0 in league play with two division matches remaining next week - on the road against Marathon and Groton, teams Union Springs already edged at home. The outcomes of those contests will determine the league champion.
While Cuff has played a central role in maintaining that blemish-free league record, averaging two strokes above par throughout the season, one golfer can't make a team. And Cuff knows it.
That's why you can find the senior assisting his teammates any way he can.
“He's always there to support them, whether it's congratulating them on a good round or giving advice on how to manage a particular course,” Salls said. They all listen.”
And why wouldn't they?
Cuff has experience on just about every course in the area, and his scores are proof that he knows what he's talking about. That goes for practice, too.
Salls described Cuff as a conscientious golfer, and noted how he could always be found grinding through practice, always putting in the extra time.
“He spends the same amount of time on a 6-foot putt (during practice) as when he's in a match,” Salls said. “That pays dividends in a match.”
So it should come as no surprise that Cuff is on the cusp of another big breakthrough: the state tournament.
In addition to the league title, a berth in the state championships is about the only feat Cuff has left to accomplish. That's no small feat, though.
It starts with a round at Cornell University's Robert Trent Jones Golf Course May 15 - where Cuff will be joined by teammates Michael Bean and Eric Hylwa. The top 20 advance to play another round two days later. From that field the top nine receive an invitation to states.
Cuff has advanced to the second round each of the last two years - finishing just a few spots out of contention a year ago - but his coach thinks this year will be different.
“One thing is that it's his last shot,” Salls said. “There's a little urgency; there's no next time. He's putting pressure on himself to be ready.”
Not only that, but he also has improved his drives. Salls said Cuff has been hitting the ball much straighter than in years past - playing a controlled draw from right to left - and he consistently wails it in the 250-yard range.
“It keeps him out of trouble,” Salls said of Cuff's improved driving. “It's been the key to his success. If he can keep that tee ball in play, he's a very good iron player and good around the greens; there's not any area where he's weak. If he keeps playing steady, he'll do well this year in the postseason.”
Maybe by then he'll be able to cross two things of his to-do list.
He's aiming for something that's eluded him during his high school career: a league title for the Wolves.
“Matt always puts the team first,” head coach Todd Salls said. “He may come in as the medalist at a match, but his main concern is how the team's doing.”
They're doing just fine, largely thanks to Cuff. The Wolves are 6-0 in league play with two division matches remaining next week - on the road against Marathon and Groton, teams Union Springs already edged at home. The outcomes of those contests will determine the league champion.
While Cuff has played a central role in maintaining that blemish-free league record, averaging two strokes above par throughout the season, one golfer can't make a team. And Cuff knows it.
That's why you can find the senior assisting his teammates any way he can.
“He's always there to support them, whether it's congratulating them on a good round or giving advice on how to manage a particular course,” Salls said. They all listen.”
And why wouldn't they?
Cuff has experience on just about every course in the area, and his scores are proof that he knows what he's talking about. That goes for practice, too.
Salls described Cuff as a conscientious golfer, and noted how he could always be found grinding through practice, always putting in the extra time.
“He spends the same amount of time on a 6-foot putt (during practice) as when he's in a match,” Salls said. “That pays dividends in a match.”
So it should come as no surprise that Cuff is on the cusp of another big breakthrough: the state tournament.
In addition to the league title, a berth in the state championships is about the only feat Cuff has left to accomplish. That's no small feat, though.
It starts with a round at Cornell University's Robert Trent Jones Golf Course May 15 - where Cuff will be joined by teammates Michael Bean and Eric Hylwa. The top 20 advance to play another round two days later. From that field the top nine receive an invitation to states.
Cuff has advanced to the second round each of the last two years - finishing just a few spots out of contention a year ago - but his coach thinks this year will be different.
“One thing is that it's his last shot,” Salls said. “There's a little urgency; there's no next time. He's putting pressure on himself to be ready.”
Not only that, but he also has improved his drives. Salls said Cuff has been hitting the ball much straighter than in years past - playing a controlled draw from right to left - and he consistently wails it in the 250-yard range.
“It keeps him out of trouble,” Salls said of Cuff's improved driving. “It's been the key to his success. If he can keep that tee ball in play, he's a very good iron player and good around the greens; there's not any area where he's weak. If he keeps playing steady, he'll do well this year in the postseason.”
Maybe by then he'll be able to cross two things of his to-do list.