His 22nd birthday won’t exactly be what Union’s Andy Ogletree had envisioned.
Instead of playing with Tiger Woods in the second round of The Masters, Ogletree made his way back home to Union.
Since winning the U.S. Amateur championship, it’s been a whirlwind of activity for Ogletree but all of that came to a screeching halt when the NCAA cancelled spring sports because of COVID-19.
Since that time, Ogletree has been trying to keep game sharp.
“Since the news came out about cancelling the season, I’ve been working on my game,” Ogletree said. “I took a trip with the golf team to Key Largo and played a lot of golf with the guys there. I went to Sea Island to work with my golf coach for a few days and now I’m back in Mississippi. I’m playing really good right now so I wish we were having those tournaments.”
Ogletree said news of The Masters being cancelled was tough but he is hopeful that the tournament will be played this fall and that he plans to remain an amateur in that case.
“It’s one of those things that I was looking forward to,” Ogletree said. “I’m just kind of disappointed right now but trying to be as positive as I can and keep my game sharp as I can so when golf does come, I will be ready.”
On Monday, the Masters announced a makeup date of Nov. 9-15. Ogletree said he will wait to turn pro until they play The Masters this year.
“I don’t get any more information than anybody else,” Ogletree said. “Same thing with the U.S. Open. I don’t know what they are going to do there either. I assume since it’s outside of New York that they might try to move it.”
Ogletree is finishing out his bachelor’s degree in business management at Georgia Tech.
“All of my classes are online and going good,” Ogletree said. “I can do my classwork from anywhere. My goal was to graduate in four years and I only have three classes. I’m just looking forward to getting that diploma. It’s a little different not being in class but everybody has done a good job of adapting.”
For the time being, Ogletree said he’s going to enjoy his time at home for his birthday and trying to stay in shape.
“I got a new pair of running shoes for my birthday and that was a clutch gift,” Ogletree said. “I have a lot more time to run. Since all of the gyms are closed, that’s my main cardio. I’m still able to do my golf and am working out. But right now, it’s nice to be home and have some home-cooked meals.”
Ogletree was recently selected to represent the United States in the 2019 Arnold Palmer Cup, an annual Ryder Cup style collegiate competition that is scheduled to be played July 3-5 at Lahinch Golf Club in Lahinch, County Clare, Ireland. According to a release from the Golf Coaches Association, they don’t know if the event will go on or not but “we would like to recognize the accomplishments of these college golfers since last summer and during the college season.”
Despite all of the setbacks from the cancellation of his senior season at Georgia Tech, who was ranked No. 3 in the country, to missing The Masters and the cancellation of the British Open, Ogletree has remained positive.
“It’s where we are at,” Ogletree said. “There are other people who have it worse. I’m just trying to take it all into perspective. I could through a pity party but life will go on. It will all happen eventually, it’s just a little speed bump.”
