Michael McKee, senior, was named Big South Men’s Golfer of the Week on Sept. 20 following his performance at the Sam Hall Intercollegiate. This was McKee’s first time receiving this honor.
“Being named Big South Golfer of the Week is a great honor that I hope is only the beginning of a lot of good things for our team and myself this season and beyond,” McKee said.
McKee shot 2-over on the first day but began to turn things around with a 1-under on day two. Going into the final round he was tied for 19th place. On the last day, McKee shot a 2-under, giving him an overall score of 1-under for the three day tournament. His tie for 10th place is the best finish of his collegiate career.
“I chipped and putted the ball really well throughout the entire tournament,” said McKee. “I made a couple huge putts in the second and third rounds that produced huge momentum swings in my favor.” McKee ended the tournament with 12 birdies (tied for 4th), and ranked in the top-5 for both par-3 and par-5 scoring.
When asked what he could still improve upon, McKee didn’t hesitate to answer. “The biggest thing that I feel like I need to work on in order to become a consistently better player is my ball striking from tee-to-green. I have to trust myself and my golf swing a little more under the pressure that comes with competitive golf.”
Winthrop’s head men’s golf coach Kevin Pendley similarly analyzed McKee’s performance. “He did not have his best stuff but he competed. He found a way to get the job done with what I would characterize as a [B minus] ball striking week. His maturity in his decision making and how he continued to stay on task despite not being as sharp is something that all of our players can learn from him.”
Pendley also called McKee’s Big South honor “great recognition for a solid week” saying he was “very happy for him.”
McKee is co-captain of Winthrop’s men’s golf team along with fellow senior Sawyer Mills. It should be noted that the last Eagle to be named Big South Men’s Golfer of the Week was none other than Mills himself (November 2016). Coach Pendley stated that McKee and Mills “both have done a nice job” as captains so far.
“I try to be a leader with my actions both on and off the golf course. I really try to be someone who my teammates view as a leader, a friend, and someone who they know is going to give full effort all the time,” said McKee.
McKee will look to contribute to the Eagles’ efforts again as they travel to three tournaments during the month of October. Be sure to follow Winthrop men’s golf on Twitter @WUGolf and keep up with live stats on golfstat.com.
