Athlete of the Week Cooper Westphal has bright future in golf

Anyone who has ever played golf knows how difficult it can be, but 9-year-old El Dorado Hills' resident Cooper Westphal makes it look easy at times. Westphal competed in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships held July 29 through August 4 at the famous Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, shooting rounds of 77, 80 and 76 on the par 72, 4,548-yard course. In the 54-hole tournament, Westphal posted a score of 17-over par, including 30 pars, four birdies, 19 bogeys and one lone double bogey. He finished tied for 30th in the event that featured more than 100 entrants from all over the world in the 9-year-old age group. "I felt I did the best that I could do and controlled what I could control," Westphal said of his performance. "It's the biggest tournament I've ever competed in and I was nervous the first day, but after that I released my nerves and just tried to have fun. It was an awesome experience and a lot of fun." Cooper's dad, Philip, was his caddie during the tournament, and it was a great time for both of them. "Being a caddie exposes your relationship when a bad shot is hit and frustration is there," Philip said. "That double bogey he had, that was a stressful moment. One of the nice things about golf is that there is usually six or seven minutes between shots and that time can be used to cool off and digest what just happened or to pump yourself up and get ready for what you're about to do. We were able to witness some parent/child interactions that we didn't want to emulate. We were both learning sports psychology on the fly. Being his caddie was an awesome experience and a great time." Cooper began playing golf as soon as he was old enough to swing a club. His grandfather (Dan Meneley) enrolled him in Will Robins Golf at Empire Ranch as soon as he was old enough to play. "Will Robins Golf has been phenomenal at not only teaching the foundational principles of golf, but also in helping promote Cooper's love of the game," Phil said. Added Cooper, "They've taught me about sportsmanship: Golf isn't all about winning, it's also about being a good sport. My golf coach is also good at explaining how to do things, how to make adjustments and how to play the course." Next up for Cooper is playing in the U.S. Kids Sacramento Golf Tour where he will play in seven tournaments in August through November. Folsom Telegraph: What are your hopes for the future after you get out of school? Cooper Westphal: I hope to become a pro golfer when I get out of school. FT: Where do you live, what school do you attend and what grade will you be in? CW: I live in El Dorado Hills. I go to Merryhill Midtown, and I am going into fourth grade. FT: Do sports run in your family? CW: Yes, my dad played baseball, and my grandpa and my dad play golf. My mom played softball when she was a kid. My sister, Sadie, plays club volleyball and is a really good libero. FT: How long have you been playing golf and how did you get your start in it? CW: I've played golf for five years, and got started in it when my dad would take me to the range. FT: What do you like about golf? CW: I like that you can play in most weather and you get to be outside in nature. FT: What was the hardest thing to learn when you first started? CW: How to read the greens, which means seeing what way the ball breaks. FT: What's the strongest part of your game? CW: My putting and my ball striking are my best. FT: What's the weakest part? CW: Hitting my approach into the green close to the flag. FT: How often do you play/practice golf? CW: About once every week I play or practice. FT: Do you have a golf highlight or what do you feel your biggest accomplishment in golf is? CW: Probably placing T-30th in worlds. FT: Do you have a favorite(s) professional golfer? CW: Cameron Champ (because he is from Sacramento and hits it a mile), Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods. FT: Have you ever been involved in any other sports? CW: I play basketball for my school. FT: What is your favorite class/subject in school? CW: Probably gym class and math. FT: Favorite Food? CW: Chicken and waffles. FT: Do you have any pets? Tell us about them. CW: I have two dogs and their names are Tucker and Tillie. Tillie is 7 months and Tucker is 4 years old. They are both Labradoodles. FT: Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time? CW: When I can't go golfing, I like swimming and playing X-box. FT: What inspires you in sports? CW: Watching all the pros and how awesome they are makes me want to practice more to be as good as them. FT: Is there a particular job or profession you'd like to have someday? CW: I would like to be a pro golfer.