Firing on the Green

Although he attends Charleston Math & Science, junior golfer Jacob Morris has been sinking the ball for West Ashley High Varsity Boys’ Golf Team for the last three years. In that time Morris has proven himself an incredible asset to the team and he has continued to improve each year he has been on the team. “Jacob is an extremely hard worker and dedicated to improving himself,” says WAHS varsity golf coach Shaun Haggerty.
Morris practices for two hours nearly every day with his teammates and voluntarily practices for hours on Saturdays. When asked why he loves golf so much, he says, “You don’t have to rely on anyone else. You can fully depend on yourself.”
Morris used to play other sports, but he decided to fully dedicate himself to golf because it offers something that other sports can’t. “It challenges you mentally as well as physically,” he says. “It helps me be mentally tougher than other kids my age because it makes me rely on myself and be comfortable in my own skin.”
Last year, Morris was named All-Region. He is currently ranked 34th in the state by the South Carolina Junior Golf Association. He has won numerous matches for West Ashley this year and has competed in a number of Junior League matches as well. So far he has accumulated eight SC Junior Tournaments wins and he also tied for 5th among 90 golfers at the Carolina Forest Tournament. His performance over the last few years has garnered attention from golf professionals and companies. Golf club and apparel company Srixon recently offered Morris a sponsorship.
Not only is Morris’s performance on the green impressive, his capabilities in the classroom are also notable. “His work ethic extends to the classroom where Jacob is an excellent student,” says Haggerty. Despite his success in the classroom and on the green, Morris is a very modest person who knows his limits. “Don’t think you’re better than you are, but know that you’re as good as you are,” says Morris.
When he’s facing his biggest challenge, staying in the moment and taking it one shot at a time, Morris relies on his personal motto: “Don’t worry about what you can’t control.” He believes that every day will present different challenges and it’s best to focus on the things that you can control.
One thing that Morris claims has been a key factor in his success is his family. He says his brother, sister, and parents are definitely his biggest supporters. “My parents are a big part of my success. I can’t thank them enough. They don’t know how appreciative I am of them,” says Morris.
Morris’s strong mentality and high level of dedication have been paving the road for a successful future. “I am most proud of how Jacob is courteous and respectful to all people he encounters, especially those who he may otherwise feel left out,” says Haggerty. His compassion and desire to help others has steered him into the territory of public service. He plans to major in criminal justice or something in the medical field. He has narrowed his college choices to either the University of South Carolina or the College of Charleston. He says they offer great opportunities in golf, and he is a big fan of South Carolina in general.