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The University of Mississippi Athletics
SPOTLIGHT: Making The Most Of A Difficult Lie
10/27/2011 | Men's Golf
Oct. 27, 2011
By Kim Ling
Associate Director, Ole Miss Athletics Media Relations
Many of the top collegiate golfers grew up playing at country clubs and taking lessons from top-notch professional teachers. Some even trained at elite golf academies. Ole Miss senior Joe David carved out a successful career the old-fashioned way.
Due to unfortunate circumstances beyond his control, David went to live with his grandparents at the young age of five. That is where the Madison, Tenn., native learned to play the game of golf.
"My grandfather (Woody Keen) got me started in the game when I was four and it just took off from there," David said. "He was a left-hander. I learned watching him and trying to do it from the other side. I started playing competitively when I was seven.
"He's been a father figure to me my whole life since I started playing golf. He's not only a father figure, but my biggest fan, my best friend and my mentor," said David of the relationship he shares with his grandfather. He's always pointed me in the right direction, and gave me a kick in the pants when I needed it."
Keen, who earned a living as a painter, struck a deal with a nearby public course (Riverside in Old Hickory, Tenn.): he'd provide their clubhouse with a fresh coat of paint if they let his grandson play and practice for free. Seven days a week, early in the morning and in the afternoon, Joe hit balls.
"He knew the father and son who ran the golf course. He's known them three-fourths of his life," David acknowledged. "He painted the clubhouse and gave it a facelift. Anything they needed around the facilities, he helped out and in return, they let me come out there and practice and play and let me hone my skills there."
Traveling across the country to play in AJGA events and major junior tournaments would have been difficult if not impossible for David had it not been for the AJGA's ACE Grant program and the Tennessee Golf Association. The ACE Grant program provides the opportunity to play in events if a junior might not be financially able to do so otherwise. They made it possible for him to play in the prestigious U.S. Junior Championship.
In 2006, David received the AJGA Jerry Cole Sportsmanship Award given annually to a junior who displays exemplary sportsmanship. The award is presented at the Rolex Junior All-America Awards banquet.
"It's one of those awards you get and you're very grateful, because it opens a lot of doors. That was a key point in my career. At the banquet I met Jim Ahern (from Titleist), who is now a good friend of mine."
On the heels of a successful junior career, David received attention from a few SEC schools and a couple other regional schools. He chose Ole Miss.
Upon his arrival in the fall of 2008, David made an immediate impact earning All-SEC Freshman honors and making the PING All-Southeast Region Team. He led the team in stroke average that year. David has played in every tournament for the Rebels in his career.
"Joe is one of very few guys who has made every trip since he's been here. He's been a very valuable part of our team. I knew when I recruited him it would be that way," head coach Ernest Ross said.
David admits his immediate success surpassed what even he expected.
"Making the All-SEC Freshman Team being ranked pretty high for a freshman exceeded what I thought I was going to do," he said. "It gave me confidence to know that I could play at this level. From there I've just been trying to get better. The coaches have done a good job helping me get better, and it's been nice to have support from them as well as my teammates."
David has five top-five, eight top-10 and 22 career top-20 finishes. He's come close several times including fifth and two third place finishes in three of the first four tournaments this year, but is still in search of his first win.
"Last year and this year I've put myself in contention a few times. I haven't been able to pull it out yet. But that's part of it. You have to put yourself in position to win first and then take it from there on the last day. I've been giving myself some good looks," David said.
Ross says it's only a matter of when not if. "He can hit it. His short game is getting better, his putting is getting better. He's in line to win a tournament this year."
With his ability to hit it far, David certainly makes for some exciting moments on the golf course. He and Coach Ross both recalled one such highlight at the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate in the spring of 2010.
"We were leading by one. I had to par the last hole for us to win. I hit my tee shot a little right, and unfortunately it got behind the world's biggest pine cone. I had to punch out to the fairway and had about 135 yards to a tucked left pin behind a bunker. Coach said `this is your number, hit in there and make the putt.' I executed the shot, hit it to about three or four feet and made the putt to help us win."
David has helped the Rebels earn a trip to NCAA Regionals every year of his career, but he would like to take it a step further in his last campaign.
"We have some young guys who have that go-getter attitude that I had when I got here. It's good to see that. We have some talented guys. My main goal is to help this team get to the NCAA Finals." On a personal note, David said he would like to get inside the top rankings to earn All-America honors.
It seems like only yesterday David showed up at Ole Miss a wide-eyed freshman with the world in front of him.
"I wouldn't change it for anything. Everyone says these are the best four or five years of your life and it's true," David said. "Now that it's my fourth year I look back, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. All the down moments and all the up moments they equal out. It's been a really good ride."
A ride made possible by a loving grandfather who shaped his life and others along the way who gave him an opportunity. Just like he did that spring Sunday in Mobile, David has learned how to make the most of a difficult lie in life and on the golf course.
