Setting his sights on the highest goal
After a stop a COS, Jon Rosa has come to Fresno State ready and with big expectations
Fresno State Athletic Media Relations
Jon Rosa has become a leader on the golf team, taking the Alister MacKenzie golf invitational Tuesday with a total of 205 strokes in the three-round event. Rosa hopes to play beyond college. |
By Kirsten Hoverman
The Collegian
Entering his senior year at Fresno State Jon Rosa has proved mental strength is a key ingredient to success in golf. Known to his teammates at “Chubs,” Rosa is a strong asset to the team.
“Golf is really a mental game,” Rosa said.
Last year Rosa was named the team’s Outstanding Newcomer to the golf team, after playing in 13 tournaments with five top-20 finishes. Now in his second year playing for Fresno State he is the number one player on the team.
“I would say he’s our number one man,” said head coach Mike Watney. “He’s just a pleasure to have on the team. He’s a very good golfer, that’s why I originally recruited him.”
Rosa is a transfer student from College of the Sequoias.
“I came [to Fresno State] out of high school,” Rosa said. “I was not ready.”
While at COS Rosa helped lead the golf team to first-place victories at the Northern California Championships and state championships from 2002-2003 and a fifth-place finish at the NCC from 2003-2004.
So far this season, Rosa said he is playing better than last year.
“You’ve got to try to eliminate the little mistakes,” Rosa said. “When we go to tournaments I stand out a little better. In a tournament you really buckle down. The last tournament in Nevada and Arrow Creek I got 13 birdies and one eagle. I’m usually the birdie leader on our team. I make all the bogies too.”
“He’s shooting some really good scores,” Watney said. “Right now he’s at 71.83, a very good average.
He’s just playing very solid golf.”
Rosa started playing golf at a young age.
“When I was 8 or 9 years old my grandpa would take me out to the driving range,” Rosa said. “I played baseball my whole life up until I was 12. Then I got stuck on a few bad teams and I decided I wasn‘t playing baseball anymore.”
Golf became his new passion.
“When I was 12-14 I was practicing a lot and trying to learn the game,” Rosa said. “I got pretty good within that time I got to high school.”
Rosa’s family comes out to local tournaments to watch him golf.
“My mom and girlfriend come out and watch,” Rosa said. “If it’s in California, they’ll probably make it.”
When Rosa first got to Fresno State he wanted to major in agriculture.
“I wanted to learn how to maintain grass and work at a country club maintaining the golf course,” Rosa said.
He plans to graduate next fall.
“As long as there’s no hiccups along the way,” Rosa said. “Next semester is a big semester for golf. We‘re going to Hawaii and Arizona a few times.”
After graduating Rosa plans to continue playing golf.
“I want to try it and see if I can make it,” Rosa said. “If it doesn’t work out I will go into teaching.”
Watney believes Rosa has potential to play professionally.
“He’s made such great progress,” Watney said. “You don’t know when a player will stop improving.”
But there’s one attribute that Watney thinks separates Rosa from the rest.
“More than anything Jon has mental toughness,” Watney said. “He’s consistent and he’s good in every area of the game.”
“It’s kind of addicting. I just love playing. I just love getting better,” Rosa said. “I’m trying to improve everyday.”
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