Hey Jude

***Visit JudeGolf.com***

I had to use "Hey Jude" as the title because in a few years, when this young man is rocking the PGA tour, all of the news magazines and sports pages are going to be playing on the Beatles' song which bears his name.

Several years ago, my sister and her husband became custodians for Jude Eustaquio (you-stock-ee-o), a young teen golf phenom from the Philippines who wanted to pursue his golf dreams in the U.S. So my sister went from no kids to insta-Mom of a teen. Whoa! All the stress; none of the stretch marks!

In the years since, Jude has become a part of our family...I've even dropped the modifier on "adopted nephew" when I refer to him. I have pictures of Jude lifting my kids in the air. I even played golf with him once and he was REALLY nice about it. He said, "You are one of the best lady golfers I've played with...well, except Morgan Pressel." Yeah, that Morgan edges me out every time!

***Note - Jude holed out for birdie on this deep, plugged bunker shot. I would have tried three times, only to have the ball fall back in the bunker at which point I would have dejectedly given up!***

This past weekend, Jude showed his mental strength and physical talent by winning the Florida State Amateur Championship. This isn't just a bunch of college boys hacking around on the golf course, Jude came from behind to beat a 34-year old former professional tour player who had commented on the young golfers in the tournament the day before, "...these guys have to figure out how to get shots on a guy who has been there and done more than what they've currently done. They've still got some things to learn." Or maybe they have something to teach him! Oh, and just for fun, Jude broke the Jupiter Hills Club course record with his 66 on Sunday!

This fall, Jude will start his second year at Florida Southern (which spawned Rocco Mediate, recent US Open runner-up...he graduated in 1984...same year as ME!!! I'm feeling younger every minute) where he was named NCAA Division II First Team All-American in 2008.  This summer, he's traveling all over the country, playing tournaments, working on his game...and if I had to guess, making some current PGA players just a little nervous!

Di

Comments

[Golf Man]

It's always great to follow the up-and-coming golfers. This guy looks like the real deal. If he is able to stay committed to winning, and puts in the amount of hours that are required to become a great golfer, then there is really no way of telling how far this kid can go.