Robert Blalock III
(November 22, 2011)–Robert “Robbie” Earl Blalock III is an active youngster who enjoys chess, baseball and swimming; however, the seven-year-old admits that his favorite sport of all is golf.
With school a firm priority for him, Robbie is fortunate to have easy course access to practice his drills at the nearby Countryway Golf Club, one of the best executive golf courses in the Tampa, Florida area, conveniently located right around the corner from his house. “I enjoy going there and playing 9 holes weekly,” he says.
Although not yet in his teens, Robbie has a keen sense of how he envisions his future, and to go with it, he has a long list of personal and academic goals that he wishes to accomplish. At such a young age, he has made golf an integral part of his life and he plans to keep it that way, through college and beyond.
Robbie regularly competes in tournaments and has been on the Macfarlane Park After School Golf Program for over two years. The Magnet school (k-5) is one of the best elementary schools in the Bay Area and among the few public elementary schools in Florida to receive a distinguished Great Schools Rating of 10 out of 10.
“My GG (the affectionate nickname he uses to refer to his grandmother) introduced me to golf when I was only two-years-old and I play 9-hole rounds with my PaPa (grandfather), whenever he is in town,” exclaims Robbie.
“Golf is fun, because sometimes I get trophies and I like hitting a ball,” says Robbie, who recently placed first in the Inaugural Golf Scramble for Macfarlane Park and came in third place at the US Kids Golf Club.
Robbie’s strong game focus and concentration is attributed to his consistent personal training with Macfarlane Park program leaders Coach Rufus Lewis (pictured left), who has been playing 40 years, and Coach Melvin Torrey, who has been playing for 45 years. The pair has taken great interest in Robbie’s quickly developing golf skills and has been a part of his weekly training regime since 2009.
“Robbie has tremendous potential to become one of the finest golfers of our time,” says Coach Lewis. “His natural ability combined with the precision training and weekly drills we are giving him, is gaining him the competitive edge he needs.”
“My coaches are terrific! They have helped me learn how to hit the ball a longer distance. They have also helped me with my biggest game challenge, putting,” says the youngster.
Robbie brings his best game and a polite attitude to every situation, on and off the course. Most notably, it is his model behavior that intrigues many youth and adults who cross his path.
Robbie demonstrates strong self-discipline and seems to have wisdom beyond his young years. He considers himself a “thinker” and says that his job is, “To go to school to learn.” –and that includes golfing!
The golf course can be a harsh place for youngsters who can not accept the brutal challenges that each turn brings, but Robbie’s positive attitude and persistence in playing has helped him overcome many of his fears. Now, each week he approaches the game with greater confidence and motivation.
“I stay motivated by thinking about the good shots I make instead of only hitting the ball one inch.”
The future for Robbie is bright and we’re certain to hear more great things about him in the coming years.
