ROCKINGHAM — Jonathan Rich, a sophomore on the Richmond Senior High School golf team, has been named the Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week.
As the Raiders’ top golfer, Rich has put together a solid sophomore campaign. Through four matches this spring, Rich has placed atop the Raiders’ scorecard each time, while also competing with some of the Sandhills Athletic Conference’s best golfers each round. His performance at Foxfire Resort last week earned him his first career recognition.
Athletic Profile
Age: 16
Birthday: Nov. 20, 2002
Year: Sophomore
Spring Sport: Golf
Seed: No. 1 Golfer
Years on Varsity: 2 Years
Height & Weight: 5-8, 145 pounds
Experience: 4 Years
“ON THE GREEN” WITH JONATHAN RICH
RSHS Academics: Enrolled in the Advanced Placement and Health Science clusters, Rich is not only the No. 1 Richmond golfer, but he’s also ranked as the No. 1 student in the graduating class of 2021. Currently, Rich boasts a 4.6 GPA and is taking three AP classes on top of two other Honors courses.
This semester, he’s taking AP United States Government and Civics Honors with Ms. Suzanne Hudson, AP Psychology with Ms. Kelly Russell and AP Human Geography with Ms. Mary McDonald. To round out his course load, Rich is enrolled in Math III Honors with Ms. Julie Howard and Biology Honors with Ms. Leah Melvin.
“AP Psych is my favorite class because I get to learn about all the theories and different aspects of the mind, which is interesting to me,” Rich commented. “It’s a really rigorous course. I did a ‘timeline of my life’ project and it got me to think about my future and what I want for my life.
“I’m taking all of these tough classes because I want to get a glimpse of what college is like,” he added. “I’m trying to get ahead and it looks better on my transcripts.”
A straight A student, Rich is a member of Richmond’s National Beta Club. He also participated in bowling this winter, his first season, and helped the Raiders qualify for regionals.
Future Plans: Staying at the top of his class is something Rich hopes to maintain over the next two school years, but is adding to that with some lofty goals both in the classroom and on the golf course.
“I want to maintain 4.7 GPA or higher, and make all As on my transcript,” Rich said. “With golf, I want to try and make All-Conference the next three seasons, and qualify for states as well after making it to regionals last year. I also want to break 70 while I’m in high school.”
In terms of what he wants to do after high school, Rich wants to “go to four-year college” like the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Coastal Carolina University. He added that he’s considering majoring in pre-med and wants “to be an anesthesiologist.”
Athlete of the Week Stats: In last Monday’s home golf match at Foxfire, Rich tied his lowest high school round by posting a 77 (+5) in 18 holes. In the season opener at Bayonet at Puppy Creek Golf Course in Raeford, Rich also posted a 77.
On the front nine, he shot a 38 (+2) and finished the back half with a 39 (+3). He notched three birdies on the day, while also draining eight pars.
Head coach Keith Parsons noted Rich tied his career-low “on a course that was four or five strokes more difficult” than any other played this spring. Rich’s best competitive round score not in high school play was a 75 in last summer’s PGA Juniors in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Jonathan Rich takes a shot in a round of golf earlier this season.
RAPID FIRE – FAST RESPONSES
1) In a sport that is so difficult, how do you remain so consistent week after week?
“I’ve developed a very tough mental game,” Rich explained. “I don’t let bad shots or bad holes influence my score. I try to have a carefree attitude — I want to enjoy the game instead of focus on the score.
“At Gates Four earlier this spring, I had a five-putt and then birdied the next hole,” he added. “I didn’t let that affect me.”
2) What’s the responsibility like being Richmond’s No. 1 golfer? Do you approach your game any differently?
“It’s a motivation for me to play well and cheer on the other guys,” Rich explained. “I want to use my experience to help my teammates play better. I don’t approach it any differently.”
3) Name an interesting fact about yourself that many people may not know.
“I’ve never had a hole-in-one, but the best shot I’ve ever had was an eagle,” Rich said. “I was at Foxfire Gray Course and holed out No. 5 from 70 yards.”
Coach’s Corner: Parsons noted how Rich’s play has been important to Richmond’s success this season.
“Jonathan’s round last week at our home match was so good,” he said. “It was only seven strokes off from the medalist of the day, the closest he’s been all season.
“Having someone such as him is very important,” he concluded. “Yes, his score helps out, but he gives a great example to everyone on how to prepare and how to respond when things don’t go your way. I look forward to seeing how he finishes the season.”
