Jordan Spieth Inspires Youth Golf Interest
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ALLEN (CBS11) - Jordan Spieth didn't walk away as champion at the British Open, but he's winning plenty of accolades back home as a role model for young athletes.
Spieth, 21, grew up in Dallas and graduated from high school at Jesuit before playing at the University of Texas at Austin.
He shot a 3-under 69 on Monday at St. Andrews that left him one stroke out of a playoff at the British Open. Spieth won the Masters in April and the U.S. Open in June, giving him a chance to win the first three majors of the year.
Falling just short did not seem to matter for some of Spieth's young fans in North Texas.
"He's the number one golfer in the world!" said eight-year-old James Passmore.
Passmore is one of 26 kids in this week's Summer Academy at TopGolf in Allen.
Just two weeks into his first experience with golf, James already has ambitions.
"I hope to be a golfer one day," he said.
Lead instructor Micheal Blackwell says Spieth is one name igniting interest in golf in a young generation.
"Like [Rickie Fowler], he's very friendly and personable, just as interviewers and just with the public in general," said Blackwell.
Blackwell says the clinics he teaches have been steadily busy this summer, in part because of Spieth's North Texas representation on an international sports stage.
"Golf is said to be the game most close to life," Blackwell added.
TopGolf Allen will hold an end of summer tournament for 6-17 year olds from its Allen, Dallas and The Colony locations on Saturday, August 29th. Space is still available.
Junior Development Programs are offered at The Courses at Watters Creek year round.
With Spieth's reputation as a class-act at a young age, parents are happy for kids to see him as a role model.
"I think him going to the John Deere Classic a week before the British Open speaks volumes about the type of person he is. He could have gone to St. Andrews a week ahead and got his practice rounds in, but he honored his commitment," said Jeff Holt.
Holt is the Head Golf Professional at The Courses at Watters Creek – the City of Allen's public course on the Allen/Plano border.
The course was redesigned a few years ago, Holt says, to grow the game.
This summer, Jordan Spieth is the topic of conversation among the golf clinic participants.
"The juniors that come in, they dress like him. You can see the Under Armour equipment and shirts that he wears, and you can tell by that it's an impact," said Holt.
Holt says the game of golf needs a new face to inspire young players. He sees that person as Jordan Spieth.
"As long as we have young great role models like Jordan Spieth, the future is bright," said Holt.
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