Union’s Andy Ogletree got to see his younger brother, Eric, graduate and spend a week at home with his family.
While glad to be at home, he also wished he was still playing golf with Georgia Tech.
For the second straight year, Georgia Tech was denied a spot in the national tournament. The Yellowjackets, ranked No. 4 in the nation, had to watch on the last hole as Arizona State sank a 15-foot putt to end Georgia Tech’s season. Georgia Tech had made the NCAA championship 23 out of 28 years.
“There were six regionals and five teams go from each regional,” Ogletree said. “We were ranked No. 4 in the country and the next highest ranked team was No. 9 in the nation. We didn’t finish outside of the top 5 all year long. It was a shock. I’m still in shock and trying to figure out what happened. If you had told me I would have been practicing at home this week, I would have told you that you were crazy. I’m still in shock.”
Ogletree shot a three-day total of 209 with a pair of 70s and a second-day 69.
“We were ranked No. 4 in the country and we thought we had a good chance to win it all,” Ogletree said. “We just had to sit there and watch it. It was kind of rough. But we have to come back and work harder next year.”
Ogletree said he had a good year for the Yellowjackets as he finished up his sophomore season.
“I thought I played solid,” Ogletree said. “I was more consistent this year than last year. I hit the ball really well all year. The putter was kind of cold at times and that happens. I thought I learned a lot. I definitely got better at managing my game and a lot better about everything about college. I didn’t feel nearly as stressed out. We did win the ACC championship and that was cool.”
Instead of taking the summer off like most college students, Ogletree will play a full summer schedule, including the U.S. Amateur. But first, Ogletree will take his shot at making the U.S. Open field with the sectional qualifier in Atlanta.
“I have played the course three or four times,” Ogletree said. “We have several alumni that are members there so I can talk with them about the course. And I will get to stay in my apartment and sleep in my own bed.”
After the U.S. Open sectional qualifier, Ogletree will play in top amateur tournaments in Rochester, New York, Providence, Rhode Island, Hilton Head, S.C., Chicago and finish off the summer at the U.S. Amateur at Peeble Beech, California.
“Those are some awesome tournaments,” Ogletree said. “Of course, the biggest thing would be qualifying for the U.S. Open. You just try to go out and win every tournament. That’s the mindset that I’m taking. I’ll be glad to be out there own my own. In college, you have to play it as a team sport so I’ll be glad to go out there and play as an individual. I just want to have some fun and get better.”
