The University of Mississippi Athletics
The True Freshman: Tom Fischer Edition
2/17/2023 | Men's Golf
(This is the third in a series on the three true freshmen members of the 2022-23 Ole Miss men's golf team - Patton Samuels, Cameron Tankersley, and Tom Fischer.)
Tom Fischer, one of three true freshmen on the Ole Miss men's golf team, brought a strong game to Oxford when he arrived last summer. That game has only continued to develop as he competed in several of the fall tournaments for the Rebels and now looks toward a solid spring with the team.
"I played in three out of the four events in the fall here," said Fischer, a Mountain Brook High School product from Birmingham, Ala. "I feel like I learned a lot, but I definitely feel like I could have played better. I do feel like (the fall) will help me in the future, so that is big."
Chris Malloy, head coach of the Rebels, said Fischer continues to develop into the player the coaches knew he could become. And it's still very early in his college career.
"We knew he would be a really good player eventually, but we didn't know where he'd be right out of the gates," Malloy said. "He came in and he's just so level headed. He's very mature. He's more of a bomber. That's something that sets him apart from the other two (true freshmen - Cameron Tankersley and Patton Samuels). He's tall and lanky, and his frame allows him to probably produce a little bit more power, especially off the tee. And he's a tremendous putter."
Malloy is able to pinpoint the strengths of Fischer's game and also the things he has already begun to improve since arriving for college just a few months ago.
"Distance, driving it straight off the tee, and putting are his strong suits," the veteran coach and former Ole Miss golfer said. "The rest of his game is very similar to what a true freshman is. We're learning how to flight the ball a little bit better. We're working on our chipping, and seeing some different shots around the green. His future is certainly bright."
The son of Delia and Philip Fischer has been around the game all his life. His father played golf at Vanderbilt. His grandfather played golf at Alabama.
Fischer, who has two older brothers, said nobody really pushed him into the game, and maybe that's why he took to it with such passion.
"I'm not sure when I first picked up a club," said Fischer, a two-time Alabama state champion with Mountain Brook. "I have two older brothers, and my dad really wanted them to play but neither of them really bought into it. So he kind of did the opposite with me, and let me decide if I wanted to play. I was the one that fell in love with it."
Fischer said he visited Ole Miss fairly early in his recruitment. And when he would take other visits, he usually thought back to his time in Oxford.
Tom Fischer, one of three true freshmen on the Ole Miss men's golf team, brought a strong game to Oxford when he arrived last summer. That game has only continued to develop as he competed in several of the fall tournaments for the Rebels and now looks toward a solid spring with the team.
"I played in three out of the four events in the fall here," said Fischer, a Mountain Brook High School product from Birmingham, Ala. "I feel like I learned a lot, but I definitely feel like I could have played better. I do feel like (the fall) will help me in the future, so that is big."
Chris Malloy, head coach of the Rebels, said Fischer continues to develop into the player the coaches knew he could become. And it's still very early in his college career.
"We knew he would be a really good player eventually, but we didn't know where he'd be right out of the gates," Malloy said. "He came in and he's just so level headed. He's very mature. He's more of a bomber. That's something that sets him apart from the other two (true freshmen - Cameron Tankersley and Patton Samuels). He's tall and lanky, and his frame allows him to probably produce a little bit more power, especially off the tee. And he's a tremendous putter."
Malloy is able to pinpoint the strengths of Fischer's game and also the things he has already begun to improve since arriving for college just a few months ago.
"Distance, driving it straight off the tee, and putting are his strong suits," the veteran coach and former Ole Miss golfer said. "The rest of his game is very similar to what a true freshman is. We're learning how to flight the ball a little bit better. We're working on our chipping, and seeing some different shots around the green. His future is certainly bright."
The son of Delia and Philip Fischer has been around the game all his life. His father played golf at Vanderbilt. His grandfather played golf at Alabama.
Fischer, who has two older brothers, said nobody really pushed him into the game, and maybe that's why he took to it with such passion.
"I'm not sure when I first picked up a club," said Fischer, a two-time Alabama state champion with Mountain Brook. "I have two older brothers, and my dad really wanted them to play but neither of them really bought into it. So he kind of did the opposite with me, and let me decide if I wanted to play. I was the one that fell in love with it."
Fischer said he visited Ole Miss fairly early in his recruitment. And when he would take other visits, he usually thought back to his time in Oxford.
Welcome to the 'Sip!@Tfisch511 is officially a Rebel!#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/p4lZIPkPFx
— Ole Miss Men's Golf (@OleMissMGolf) November 10, 2021
"I'd say I wasn't super highly recruited, honestly. I had a good summer and a lot of consistency that got my name out there a little bit. I knew Coach (Austin) Cody from UAB who is here now (as an assistant coach). I feel like that definitely helped me. When he came here, I started thinking about Ole Miss a lot. I visited and loved it. And I still looked at a few other schools, but when it came down to it, it was here. Always here. It was Ole Miss for me."
One of the tournaments in the fall Fischer played in was definitely special. It was back home. The SEC Match Play event was in Birmingham. He also shot his low competitive round of the fall with a 67 in that event.
"It was super cool to play back in Birmingham in the SEC Match Play," said Fischer, who was the No. 2 ranked high school recruit from the state of Alabama in 2022. "I was pretty tight in the qualifying (in Oxford) just to be able to go. It was fun to go back home and play with my parents there and others watching. That was super fun."
Fischer said college has been an adjustment in ways, but it is for all students on some level. Student-athletes have to manage their time more, and he said that takes some getting used to. That also includes making time for doing what it takes to become a better golfer.
"I'm still learning," he said. "The fall playing in the three events is something I can look back and learn from. When I'm playing well, I know I can compete at a high level.
"Everyday life in college, with time management, practice, getting in some extra time on the putting green, stretching or getting treatment from our trainer. You just make sure you're ready to go when it's your time."
Fischer said he and the other two true freshmen have developed a strong bond, and they all seem to make each other better.
"Cam, Patton, and me all living together in the dorm, we're all really close," said Fischer, who averaged 72.75 per round in his fall events. "I've spent the last six or seven months almost 24/7 with those two, and we're super close. It's a good group to be a part of."
He feels the same about the entire team, and he believes there are some big moments upcoming for the Rebels.
"It's a fun group, and I love every guy on our team," he said. "We have a super cool dynamic. We're a close group of guys and everyone gets along. I definitely feel we have a bright spring in front of us."
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