The Back Nine with Gamecock Freshman Kieron Fowler

April 9, 2014

Throughout the spring, Gamecocksonline.com will catch up with each member of the men’s golf team for a feature called The Back Nine, focusing on nine golf-related questions. This week we are featuring freshman Kieron Fowler.

When did you first start playing golf and what drew you to the game?
I first started playing golf at the age of 11 when I had to stop playing soccer due to an injury. I chose to play golf because I wanted to start playing another sport, and that was the one that seemed most fun and rewarding.

Who is your favorite professional golfer?
Well he passed away a few years ago but it was and always will be Seve Ballesteros. He changed the game of golf forever and put fun in the game. He never stopped smiling and giving it his all. He was a role model for me and nearly all the kids I grew up with.

What is your favorite golf course that you’ve played?
I have many but the one that stands out most has to be Pedreña Golf Club in Spain. It is Seve ballesteros’s home course which is one reason but mainly just for the views all around the course, and I have great memories from playing a tournament there.

What is your favorite golf memory?
My favorite golf memory was when I got to play with Jose Maria Olazabal. The next year he captained the winning Ryder Cup side, and he is one of the great players of this game, including winning the Masters twice. The experience I gained there was invaluable.

What is the most memorable competition moment of your career?
My most memorable competition moment was when I won the U18 national championship of Spain with my dad and friends watching me for my last round. It was a great moment for me, and I got to share it with my dad, which made it even sweeter.

Who has influenced you most in your golf career?
My dad. Because he never gave up on me, and no matter what has happened he has always been behind me supporting me until the end. I would not be anywhere without the help of all my family, but my dad has always given that little bit extra that pushed me to be the best I can be.

What are you most known for in golf/your strong suit?
I am most known for my short game and wedge play. This past fall I made some bad decisions in changing my swing, which really hurt my long game. This helped because I had to use my short game to recover all the time. But wedges have always come easy to me, never worked that much on them and they have always been on form.

What is your dream foursome and what golf course would you play?
Tiger woods, Seve Ballesteros and Bubba Watson. Because then I wouldn’t be the only one missing most of the fairways.

What’s in your bag?
Driver: Taylormade SLDR 10.5
3 wood: Taylormade SLDR 15
2 iron: Titleist 712u
3-pw: Taylormade Rocketbladez Tour
52, 58 degree wedges: Titleist SM4
Putter: Scotty Cameron
Ball: Titleist ProV1x