LJ Country Day golfer reflects on PGA Tour experience
Anthony Paolucci focuses on his next shot at Torrey Pines last week. Photo: Phil Dailey
By Phil Dailey
Staff Writer
Before Anthony Paolucci teed off at the Farmers Insurance Open last week he described his first PGA Tour event as a win-win situation.
After making the cut and finishing the tournament with a 3-under par — tied for 29th — there’s no doubt that he was right about his assessment.
Paolucci, who is a senior at La Jolla Country Day and a Rancho Santa Fe resident, made waves all tournament long as he showed just how talented he is and just how bright his future might be. He finished the event ahead of golf’s No. 3-ranked player, Tiger Woods, who ended the tournament at 1-under par. Not to mention the 70-plus professionals who failed to make the cut.
For anyone who has followed the short career of Paolucci, it may not have been that big of a surprise how well he played. After all, he’s the No. 1-ranked junior golfer in the country and has committed to play at USC in the fall.
What might be most impressive about Paolucci’s four rounds was just how consistent he was. He carded a 70 on the South Course during the first day a 71 on the North Course on day two. During the weekend, he carded back-to-back 72s on the South Course. From the outside, the 18-year-old looked as though he had nerves of steel and was going about his game as though nobody was watching. Inside, however, he said it was much different.
“I was really nervous,” Paolucci said. “My legs where shaking the first couple holes.”
By Friday afternoon, he knew he was likely in contention to make the cut.
“I just knew if I just kept playing solid I would have a really good chance of making it,” he said.
Paolucci birdied No. 18 just to make sure.
For Anthony’s father, Mike, his expectations were a bit mixed heading into the event.
“Playing in your first Tour event and making the cut, it’s just unrealistic to think that would happen, particularly if you’re in high school,” he said. “But on the other hand, I’ve seen him play several practice rounds (at Torrey Pines) and I’ve seen him play the last few months and he has been making a lot of birdies and he has been hitting the ball incredibly well, so in the back of my mind I was thinking, ‘Maybe he does have chance because he’s been playing so well.’
“I’ve said before, It’s all going to come down to his nerves and how he handles that, ’cause I knew he has the game to play I just didn’t know if he could manage his emotions.”
A good move
The Paolucci family made the move to San Diego County about 16 months ago from Dallas. Mike Paolucci took a new job in Carlsbad at Life Technologies, a biotechnology tools company. For the younger Paolucci he quickly got hooked up at the Titleist Performance Institute in Oceanside, a move Mike said has had a profound impact on his son’s game.
“Titlest Performance Institute has basically taken control of every aspect of his game,” Mike Paolucci said. “From his physical fitness to his golf swing to his short game to his clubs to chiropractors, massage, physical therapist — every aspect they are treating him like a Tour player. There’s no doubt in my mind that if it weren’t for the Titleist Performance Institute, he wouldn’t have been (playing in the Farmers).”
Making friends with Lefty
While living in Rancho Santa Fe, the Paoluccis have forged a bond with one of the top golfers in the world in Phil Mickleson. Both are members at The Bridges.
“Phil has been incredibly positive to Anthony about how he can play and that he’s got the game,” Mike Paolucci said,
Mickleson and Anthony played a practice round at Torrey Pines where, according to Mike, Mickleson gave him “a lot of instruction on where to hit the ball.”
Their bond was on display Friday after Anthony finished his second round. Mickleson spotted Paolucci as he finished signing his score card and said to the youngster, “Congrats, let’s have a good weekend.”
Mickleson nearly won the tournament, as he finished second with a 15-under.
What’s next?
Paolucci will be off to another tournament this weekend as he plays in the Jones Cup Invitational at Sea Island, Ga. The event features the top male junior golfers in America.
“After this one I don’t have anything scheduled until the end of March,” Paolucci said.
He plans on playing in The Azalea Invitational which takes place in Charleston, S.C. and starts on March 24.
Related posts:
- Woods off to good start, Paolucci ends at 2-under
- La Jolla Country Day senior set to play in PGA event
- Paolucci makes the cut at Torrey Pines
- Farmer’s Open big opportunity for La Jolla Country Day golfer
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Posted by Phil Dailey
on Feb 2, 2011. Filed under Sports.
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