Decatur's Drew Jones shows natural talent for the game of golf
By Denny Deady | Published Thursday, October 22, 2009
His freckled face lights up when he smiles, which is most of the time. His reddish blonde hair, in an Ian Kinsler cut (minus the curls) peers out from beneath his cap. At 5'3" he is tall for his age, but on a golf course dominated by grown men and women, he draws attention for his small stature.
Twelve-year-old Drew Jones has had a golf club in his hand for as long as his parents can remember. Steve and Jana Jones say their youngest son picked up a club at about age 2 and competed in his first major tournament at 5.
Everything Drew does with a club, whether it's his fluid swing from the tee or his dead-on putting comes naturally. His dad says it's a gift from God. What Drew knows about his talent is that he loves the game of golf and would rather be on the course than anywhere else.
Despite his exceptional gift, Drew is well grounded. His parents encourage his talent, but at the same time, they want him to be a regular kid. His older brother Matthew is also part of his support system. Matt, 14, recognizes his younger brother's talent and supports it.
In the summer of 1993, when Drew was just 5, he finished fifth in the U.S. Kids Town tournament in Dallas. His dad caddied for him, and mom ran the video camera.
Jana remembers being so nervous that she felt sick.
Drew played in another tournament the following summer, and his first place finish garnered invitations to play at venues all over the country.
In May 2005, Drew won the 7-8 age division of the Mutual of Omaha Drive, Chip & Putt Junior Challenge at Tennison Park in Dallas, sponsored by The Golf Channel.
Then it was time to take a break, time to give Drew an opportunity to be a regular kid and make his own decisions about golf.
In July this year, Drew was back on the golf course. As an 11-year-old entering the sixth grade at Decatur Intermediate School, he was focused on golf. He entered the prestigious Dallas Junior Championship and finished fifth in the10-11 age group with an 87.
"I wanted to go back out and play again," he said.
He had built a make-shift putting "green" next to his house, crafting it out of dirt among the trees on the vacant lot. He kept a rake handy to keep it in playing condition.
Although right-handed, Drew swings a club left-handed. Steve admits he tried hard when Drew was younger to place the club in his son's right hand, but Drew was more comfortable as a lefty.
When asked if his red hair was an indication of a temper, Drew responded, "I don't have a temper." Thinking for just a second, he added, "Yes, I actually do, but I control it on the golf course."
During the school year, he plays once a week, primarily at the Runaway Bay and Bridgeport courses. He has a close relationship with his instructor, Teddy Ashcraft, PGA teaching pro at The Golf Club at The Resort on Eagle Mountain Lake.
"This kid's got a tremendous amount of talent," said Ashcraft. "Golf is very mental, and he has a great mind for it, the way he thinks on the course. He could play on a high school golf team right now.
"I've worked with him since he was 6. When he comes here, you see people on the course pointing at him and saying, 'Look at this little guy.'"
Ashcraft says Drew has the talent to play on the junior golf tour.
"He's very, very talented," Ashcraft added.
The pro also has high praise for Drew's dad.
"Steve's done a great job. He actually kept him away from it, let him make his own decisions," said Ashcraft.
If Drew has an ego, he doesn't show it. Credit his parents and his brother for the balance in his life.
When questioned about his most memorable experiences in golf, he'll point to the friendships that he has made.
One of those new friends is Calvin Martinez, whose dad is the pro at Keeton Park in Dallas. Drew and Calvin formed an immediate bond when they played against each other in a tournament at Keeton. At a recent tournament in Lewisville, he and Calvin played together as the Keeton team and won the 11-13 division. Drew teamed with Calvin's brother, Ty Martinez, Oct. 18, to win not only the 11-13 division of the North Texas PGA Junior Team Tournament at Los Rios Country Club in Plano, but their 2 under par 33 score bested all other divisions in the tournament. Drew shot a 1 under 34 individually that included 2 birdies, 6 pars and 1 bogey.
Another friend he has made is Dylan Rottner, a Decatur High School freshman, who also takes lessons at The Resort. Ashcraft tells the two of them constantly that when Dylan is a senior and Drew is a freshman, the DHS golf team will win state.
Drew is comfortable around people he knows, confident on the golf course. Whether he's tossing a football in the street with Matt or hanging out with friends, he's just a regular kid. A regular kid with an incredible talent for golf.
