ROCKINGHAM — Junior golfer Ayden Mabe has been named the Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week presented by HWY 55.
As the Richmond Senior High School boys’ golf team continues its season, Mabe has continued to improve his individual scores. During last week’s match in Sanford, he shot a personal season-low score and also helped the Raiders in Monday’s 18-hole match in Raeford.
A three-year varsity golfer, Mabe’s play on the course and leadership amongst his teammates helped him earn his first career recognition.
Athletic Profile
Age: 16
Birthday: June 23, 2005
Year: Junior
Spring Sport: Golf
Years on Varsity: 3 years
Experience: 6 years
“ON THE GREEN” WITH AYDEN MABE
The Raider golf team has improved in each of its four matches this season, and Mabe has been a consistent golfer for Richmond. During last week’s nine-hole round at Sanford Golf Course, the Raiders finished fifth overall.
As a unit, the Raiders posted a season-best score of 199, using the top four scorecards. Mabe was the leading golfer for Richmond during that outing, shooting a 43. He had one birdie in the round.
Not only was it the best individual score on the team during that round, but it was also Mabe’s lowest personal score in a round this season (through three nine-hole matches).
On Monday, the Raiders returned to action in their first full round against Sandhills Athletic Conference opponents. Playing at Bayonet at Puppy Creek Golf Course, Richmond shot a 397 on 18 holes.
Taking fifth place again, just two strokes behind Lee County High School, Mabe was the second-leading Raider during the contest. He finished his play with a score of 97, shooting a 50 on the front nine, before ending with a 47 on the back nine.
Through four matches this spring, Mabe has the second-best nine-hole average on the team with a 47.2. That’s just behind team leader senior Ethan Brown (46.4 average).
Richmond will return to action again next Monday for an 18-hole round at Whispering Pines Golf Club.
Junior Ayden Mabe putts during the Raiders’ first match of the season at Scotch Meadows. (Deon Cranford/The Richmond Observer)
RAPID RESPONSES WITH AYDEN MABE
ROSports: What has allowed you to be successful in improving your score recently? Which part of your game are you most satisfied with?
Mabe: “I try to not have a bad hole and I try to get past a bad shot if I have one. With golf, there’s always something else to look forward to. In last week’s round, my drives were down the middle and I hit 8 of 9 fairways. I did well with my chipping and putting, which are always important.
“I’ve really been impressed with my iron shots and shots toward the green. I always try to attack the green and this season I’ve been really consistent with doing that.”
ROSports: How has playing in smaller groups with golfers from other schools made you better this season? And how has it made the matches more competitive?
Mabe: “I like playing with golfers from Pinecrest and Lee County, which are two of the top teams in the conference. Playing with them gives me more competition and it makes me more competitive.
“What I try to do is match their shots and playing in these groups motivates me to do better. The biggest thing I try to do is keep my head in the game and know that the most important shot is the next one.”
ROSports: Which professional golfers do you study and try to model your game after? And what would you want to learn from them if you got to hang out with them for a day?
Mabe: “Jordan Spieth is a golfer I like to watch, and I’ve followed him since 2014. I also really like Phil Mickelson, who is a fan favorite. Spieth uses his wedges really well and I try to model that, and Phil does a great job with chipping and flop shots.
“I’d ask them what a daily practice would be like and how they keep their mental focus so strong when they play golf.”
The Richmond Observer will publish two more Official Richmond County Athletes of the Week next week.
