Golf is a sport that doesn't come easy for most players.

Eric Edmunds is an exception, and a young one for a two-time Section III qualifier.

The Skaneateles sophomore will be competing in the New York State golf tournament at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course at Cornell University beginning today through Monday.

Today will be a practice round, while Sunday and Monday will be the 36-hole tournament.

“That's some heavy stuff,” Lakers coach John Quijano said.

“Few make it at this level and most of them are seniors or juniors.”

Edmunds has been a golfer since his seventh-grade season. He made the team and was one of the youngest of the Lakers until his freshman year.

“The seniors would make jokes about him and Jeff Baldetti,” Quijano said.

“They would joke with them when they did homework on the bus and say ‘one plus one is two and two plus two is four.'”

Edmunds doesn't need advanced math skills, given his low scores on the links. He has shot a low of 32 multiple times at Pine Grove and Millstone Golf Course. Currently his season average for his sophomore year is a 37.4 stroke average.

“He just kept practicing the minute he would get off of the bus,” Quijano said. “He is still like that.”

Edmunds's strength comes in the short game where he knows what it takes to get on the green and putt as least as he would like to.

During his two rounds at Seven Oaks Golf Course, he shot an 81 on his first day after starting his round off with four bogeys.

“I just settled myself down,” Edmunds said. “Then I just thought about the things I've done on the range to get me where I am.”

He followed his second round with a 76 to win the Sectional Qualifier tournament.

“More experienced kids normally do that,” Quijano said. “He didn't seem to have any trouble with it.”

His length is one thing that Edmunds has improved on since his seventh-grade year, with help from PGA Professional Trainer Tony Biata.

“He's helped me hitting my shots straighter and better,” Edmunds said.

Edmunds will have to hit his shots at Cornell to make the All-State team.

Out of the 99 golfers that participate in the event the top 20 will make the squad.

“The goal would be for him to make the top 20,” Quijano said. “Which is a realistic chance. I expect him to do well.”

The positive for him being only a sophomore is the future that is still bright for him.

“I still have two more years ahead,” Edmunds said. “I have a few more years to make it.”

Given his talent, dedication and scores there's no reason to doubt Edmunds won't be at the state competition again in his high school career.

“He's found something he's good at and wants to get better at,” Quijano said.

“He plays golf with a real passion and loves the game, and the competition. He's a true golfer.”