Young Gettys working hard at golf dream

Payne Gettys has a dream, and he is busy every day working to make that dream come true.

The 13-year-old from Rock Hill wants to play college golf and one day play on the PGA tour.

Gettys, who has done exceptionally well in the South Carolina Junior Golf Association events over the past few years, works every day to improve his skills on the golf course.

The results he has posted on the SCJGA tour speak for themselves. In August he finished second in his age group (10-12) in the Thomas D. Dodd All Stars Tournament at the Patriot Golf Club in Ninety-Six. In 2014 he won his age group in the Blade Junior Classic in Greer. In 2012 he earned first place in his age group in the Thomas D. Dodd All-Stars Tournament.

He recently competed in the Drive, Chip, and Putt, where he made it to the final round before coming up just short of qualifying to play at Augusta National in the spring of 2016.

As he made his around the golfing circuit over the past few years, he has traveled to many places and made lots of friends. He keeps in touch with his friends on a regular basis, and they also compete against each other quite a bit.

“The travel has been great,” said Gettys. “I have enjoyed seeing other places, and playing on some great golf courses.”

He has played the Pinehurst No. 1 course as well as Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.

“My favorite course is the one at Pinehurst,” said Gettys. “I just like the way it played. Both it and Congressional are very tough.”

Gettys comes from an athletic family, all Northwestern standouts. His father, Craig, also played baseball at Erskine College. He is also a golfer. His mother, Beth, ran track. His older brother, Thomas, is the kicker on the football team . He and his brother both play on the Trojans’ golf team.

Gettys was named after the late professional golfer, Payne Stewart, whom his father really admired. Gettys’ favorite golfer and athletic role model is Rory McElroy.

“I like him because of the way he plays,” said Gettys. “His game is very good, and I like the way he approaches the game. He does not get upset or mad.”

As for Gettys’ game, he is working on it every day to improve his skills. He practices every day after school, and he does not just play, he works on his game.

“I am working on managing my game,” said Gettys. “It is hard, but that is the way to get better. My dad told me not to worry about who I am playing, but to stayed focused on what I am doing and play the course.”

Despite the fact that he spends a lot of time on the course playing in tournaments or practicing, Gettys does have everything in perspective. He is a straight A student at Rawlinson Road Middle School, where is favorite subject is math.

“Academics are very important to me,” said Gettys. “I want to play college golf, and I know that my grades will be a big factor in determining where I go and what I can choose for a major.”

Tommy Jordan from York is Gettys’ golf coach. He has been a tremendous influence on him.

“He has really helped me with my game,” Gettys said. “More importantly, he has helped me with my confidence.”

Gettys has played other sports and enjoyed them, but he keeps coming back to golf.

“He is very passionate about golf,” Beth Gettys said. “He has made us proud not only for his accomplishments on the golf course, but his work ethic in both golf and academics. He realizes the value of academics, and he works hard at it.”

In the spring he will play on the Northwestern golf team for the second season. As a seventh grader last year, he performed well in his first year on the team.

For now, he is content in working every day on his game. He has a dream, and is working very hard to see that it comes true.

This story was originally published September 28, 2015 at 9:08 AM with the headline "Young Gettys working hard at golf dream."