North Texas High School Golfer Shooting As Well As PGA Pros
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RICHARDSON (CBS 11 SPORTS) - Peri'don Castille, a senior at Lloyd V. Berkner High School in Richardson, is an amazing golfer.
Often shooting in the 60's (professional quality), Castille has won several local tournaments, but they are tournaments lower in profile and ones that often go unnoticed.
So why is the youngster not stepping up to the tee at bigger events? Because the higher profile tournaments cost thousands of dollars, and despite receiving some contributions, Castille doesn't have the money to play in the 'big leagues'.
The costs of these tournaments also make it difficult to be seen by college coaches as Castille has yet to receive any scholarship offers. While some may be pessimistic, Castille is holding out hope. In the interim, Castille has a 3.5 GPA and was named homecoming king this year.
Castille's accomplishments are a testament to his perseverance. The teen is relatively estranged from his birth mother and has been raised, since the age of one, by his babysitter.
"I don't look at is as a struggle. It's just another thing to drive me to work harder on and off the golf course," said Castille. "I don't want people to go through the same thing I went through, so I want to try and make it a better place. "
Another driving force in Castille's life is his father Donald, who remains in his life. "He's a great guy, he's phenomenal, and he makes me proud being his dad."
Despite it all, Castille keeps the attitude that he will simply work harder to bridge the gap of luxuries he has not been afforded. It's a belief the high school senior thinks will carry him to the heights he wants to reach, even if his path is tougher than most.
"Everything doesn't have to be handed to you to win or to achieve anything in life," said Castille. "All it takes is hard work and determination."
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