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Washington High School senior Rob Bergevin has extra time to pursue his passion this spring in preparation for collegiate competition this fall. The National Honor Society member with a 4.5 GPA has two classes, Statistics and British Literature, to complete before graduation. That leaves time for extra driving, chipping and putting.

1. The recruiting process for golf is not like it is for football or basketball. Describe it for us?

Rob: Starting in the fall of my junior year, I sent 150 or 200 emails to college golf coaches in North and South Carolina and Virginia. I attached videos of my swing and other technical parts of golf and told them about my grades and my golf background. I kept following up and Appalachian St. finally contacted me.  I put everyone else on the shelf after that, because they were my first choice from the beginning.

2. Why the Mountaineers?

Rob: My dad graduated from there and we’ve been going to football games and had other trips to Boone my whole life. I love the mountains, the fresh air and the college town atmosphere in Boone, so I was very excited to hear from them. It will be great to play courses at different altitudes. The views are awesome from some of them, so it’s going to be a lot of fun.

3. What led to App St. making you a scholarship offer?

Rob: Coach Alan Cress replied to my emails and arraigned to come see me play the Pinehurst #8 course this past January. I shot 75 in the wind and he made the offer right there. It was really exciting for me and my family.

4. What are you going to major in?

Rob: Innovation and Entrepreneurship, but it could change. I might like to operate my own business like my dad does, but I’m not sure yet. I’m open to a lot of things right now, so we’ll see where it goes.

5. If you could have a meal with three people, living or dead, who would they be?

Rob: My grandad, who helped me get started playing golf, who passed aways two years ago, Tiger Woods and Adam Sandler. Obviously, there would be a lot of golf talk, but I think I would just sit back and let them roll. I would serve steak, baked potatoes, asparagus with chocolate cake for dessert.

Bonus question: What is the hardest part of golf for you?

Rob: Learning to push through bad shots and move quickly to the next shot. I used to get really stressed out after a bad shot and let it affect the rest of my round. I work with a sports phycologist, Josh Nichols, who tells me I have to accept the results of my shots, good or bad, then move on. I have to stay level and focus on the present. I’m getting better at it, but there’s still room to improve.