Montrele Wells
(April 24, 2012)–Montrele Wells is a Philadelphia (PA) native. He relocated to Columbia, SC, when he was just five-years old and it was there that Fairway Outreach, a religious organization that visits low poverty areas to help under privileged kids, gave Montrele his first exposure to golf. He was age 12 at the time, but recalls the impact it made on his life.
Today Montrele resides in sunny Jacksonville, FL, where he enjoyes an optimal mix of urban charm and rural beauty. Jacksonville is teeming attractions for visitors: an abundance of public and private golf courses, The Landing, Cummer Museum, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and the Museum of Science and History.
“I grew up primarily playing football, basketball, baseball, and running track,” says the single 29-year old. “I was good at all of them. But golf, I wasn’t very good at, so I didn’t really pursue it. It wasn’t until I was a sophomore at Benedict College that I actually started taking the game more seriously, claims Montrele.
Founded in 1870, Benedict College is a private, co-educational liberal arts institution located in Columbia, SC. The College has produced over 15,000 graduates and currently has over 3,100 students enrolled in baccalaureate degree programs. Benedict remains true to the mission of preparing students to be “powers for good” in society. While the history of the college has been spectacular, Benedict’s future will most definitely surpass its past.
I needed scholarship assistance and that was a strong motivator,” he says. He confesses that it didn’t go too well that first year in trying to make it onto the golf team; but after a year of dedicated practice his skills had developed well enough to earn him a spot on the Beneditct Tigers golf team. And during his second year the team captured the 2004 National Minority Golf Championship!
Montrele completed his studies at Benedict College and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics. His knowledge in the natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime comes in handy out on the course, where the laws of physics are always in play.
He is currently employed with Delta Global Services in Jacksonville FL as a Passenger Service Supervisor. Although he is not (yet) a member of any golf clubs or organizations the scratch golfer proudly volunteers as a Junior Instructor at The First Tee of Jacksonville.
“I have been doing that for a year and three months,” he says, and his work not only benefits the youth who come to him for lessons but it also gives them a strong role model to look up to.
Montrele is currently pursuing a career in golf and has been playing professional on different mini tours since 2010. Its rigerous and takes a toll on much of his personal time, but he insists it’s what he wishes to do with his life.
When he is not in a heated competition, Montrele enjoys playing leisure rounds with a few of his golf students, or some of his friends who are also golfing professionals.
Northwoods Golf Club (Columbia, SC) serves as Montrele’s home course. The 18-hole public course gives golfers of all levels a fair challenge and a premier experience. It is spread out on a par 72 Pete Dye design and features 6800 yards of golf from the long tees.
The golfer is self-taught and likes to spend everyday practicing, especially during the spring and summer seasons when the days are longer.
“Golf is my passion, my dream, and all I can think about everyday, all day. I love the challenge it presents,” he says.
Most recently, Montrele placed 10th in the Advocates Professional Tour event in Tampa, Fl, (Mar. 9-11, 2012). Established in 2004, The Advocates have delivered on their promise to make a difference in the lives of those African American Youths living in underserved communities by serving as Advocates for education, health awareness, career/professional development, and mentoring. The organization also serves to provide a golf tour experience for its members.
Montrele also played in The Daytona Beach Open (Mar. 23-25, 2012) but, admits the he didn’t play so well.
“That’s the only thing that hurts me…. having to work full-time and still not having the financial backing to compete in as many tournaments as I would like. Everything else is there: my determination, work ethics, my commitment….that’s all taken care of. The financial part is what’s holding me back.”
When Montrele is not playing golf you can find him soothing his mind by playing drums at his church, watching golf on television, or flipping through golf magazines.
“I always keep God first in everything that I do and I believe that I’m going to be the #1 player in the world one day.”
