Middlesboro senior Michael Wilson fulfilled a long-time dream this week as he signed to play golf at Divsion I Morehead State University.
Wilson put together a laundry list of accomplishments during his time at MHS. He’s a three time winner of the 13th Region All “A” Classic, finished his senior year as the Tri-County Conference co-player of the year and wracked up numerous appearances on the all-district, all-conference and all-region teams.
This past season he helped lead the Jackets to a conference championship and an 8th place finish in regional golf tournament.
He joins a Morehead program led by Dr. Rex Chaney, who is in his 37th year coaching the Eagle golf team.
“I’m excited to get up to Morehead. It’s a great campus and a great part of Kentucky,” Wilson said. “I’m looking forward to playing against some of the best talent in the nation in the Ohio Valley Conference. I’m just ready to see where I stack up and hopefully I’ll have a good college career.”
Of course going up against some of the top competitors from across the country won’t be a new experience for Wilson. He’s had several opportunities to travel to regional and national events through his participation in the First Tee Pine Mountain program.
Highlighting those experiences are a pair of trips to Pebble Beach to compete in the Nature Valley First Tee Open and an invitation this past summer to the First Tee Advanced Academy in Dallas.
“First Tee has been monumental in the development of not only my golf game, but my character as well,” Wilson said. “They give you everything you need to be ready for college and college life. They’re always working on your golf skills, but there’s also always some kind of message behind it that has to do with life. It’s really great for helping develop a well-rounded person.”
Wilson’s driving has improved every year of his high school career, but on the course he’s most proud of his solid short game.
“The strength of any golfer who is going to play at the collegiate level has to be their short game. You’re not going to make it very far in golf just being able to hit a drive 300 yards. The short game is the most important part of anybody’s game, even the professionals,” he said. “Something I’m going to have to work on is consistency with the irons, but that will come with time on the range and practice over the next few years. Hopefully it will all come together.”
Wilson will be taking a one handicap with him to Morehead and he’s currently undecided on what his major will be.
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