Peabody’s James Smith, who attends Malden Catholic High School, fell in love with golf when he was 7 years old. Despite struggles with self-doubt, he persevered and was recently crowned Catholic Conference Individual Champion.
“I started by going to the driving range with my dad and papa, but I just enjoyed swinging and never thought of seriously playing,” said Smith, a senior captain. “I started getting serious about golf in eighth grade when I played in my first-ever event with a fourth-place finish.”
Despite all of the hours, results weren’t always showing, according to Smith.
“I wasn’t very good my first two years, even after putting in the constant time and hours. [During] my junior year, I got a lot better, but still wasn’t seeing the result,” he said. “At times, I truthfully thought about quitting and often found myself wondering why I was putting in all of this effort for no results.”
But a humble Smith put his head down and went to work ahead of his senior year.
“My senior year, I finally started seeing the results I wanted, playing in the Cape Cod National High School Invitational, winning the Catholic Conference Individual Championship, and qualifying for the Massachusetts State Sectional Tournament with a 9-hole scoring average of 36.8,” he said. “This season taught me a lot about myself and about the game [and to] always keep working hard.”
Smith has also made it a goal of his to “have fun” and see where his golf journey takes him. Little did he know, that meant winning the conference and becoming MC’s first-ever individual winner.
“The Catholic Conference Championship was one 18-hole round at William J. Devine Golf Course,” said Smith, who shot a 2-under 68. “Winning the tournament never once crossed my mind and I didn’t even think about checking the leaderboard. I was just out there enjoying the opportunity.”
Well, the opportunity came for Smith to win, and he finished with a birdie putt on hole 18.
“I didn’t hit the ball all that great, but I kept it in front of me. The putter got me out of a lot of trouble. I saw a bunch of putts fall that day that normally wouldn’t have,” he said. The 20-footer for birdie on 18 that lipped in won me the tournament.”
Smith was in one of the first groups to finish the tournament, meaning he had to wait and watch others to finish.
“I knew I put up a good score. From there, it just became a waiting game. When the last group came in and I knew I had won the golf tournament, I was super excited,” he said. “I finally got to see some hard work pay off. … I was super grateful for the people around me who are always there for me and I couldn’t wait to celebrate with them.”
Smith also credited his conference opponents for his improvement.
“The Catholic Conference has the best talent in the State of Massachusetts. Competing with those guys every year 100 percent makes you a better golfer,” he said. “There’s no better way to improve than by competing with people of the same skill level – if not better than you – and getting to do that 10 matches a year made me a better golfer and helped me perform better under pressure.”
As for where he goes from here, Smith said it’s rather “simple”.
“Go have fun at the state sectional. I hope to qualify for the state tournament at the Haven Club, sign a letter of intent to play in college, and practice all throughout the winter and spring in preparation for my first collegiate season,” he said.
