Athlete of the Week: Garrett Harrison wins Bill Dougherty Memorial First Tee Tournament

Only two players shot under par at the First Tee – Greater Sacramento's 13th tournament of the season on Aug. 1, the Bill Dougherty Memorial, at Yolo Fliers Club in Woodland. Garrett Harrison was one of the two players. Harrison, a Granite Bay High junior, had the low round of the day with a two-under-par 70 and made seven birdies. He has had a great season with two other first-place performances, including at Peach Tree Country Club in Marysville on July 13 and Ancil Hoffman Golf Club in Carmichael on June 28. Harrison also helped lead the Granite Bay Grizzlies golf team to the NorCal Tournament in the spring. Harrison also competes in tournaments with the American Junior Golf Association and the Junior Golf Association of Northern California. His sister, Hannah, was on the Granite Bay girls' golf team last fall that won the state title. Gold Country Media asked Harrison some questions and his answers follow. How long have you been playing golf competitively and who is your biggest motivation? Harrison: "I have been playing golf for over 10 years competitively and my biggest motivation is the people around me and my competition to get better." You played for Granite Bay High in the spring and made it all the way to NorCals. How special was the playoff run you made and what are your biggest goals for next season? Harrison: "Our most recent high school season went better than we all expected, we all performed really well and almost made it to states, missing it by six strokes. Next season, a collective goal we all have in mind is going to states and being a real contender to win." Do you have a favorite professional athlete? If so, who and why? Harrison: "My favorite professional athlete is Russell Westbrook because of his competitive mindset and will to go out and get points, even if his game is off." Do sports run in your family? If so, who has played and at what level/s? Harrison: "My father played golf for his team when he was younger in high school and really got me and my two siblings into the sport and has helped support me and my two siblings into the sport. He has helped support us to elevate our games to the next level." Have you ever been involved in other sports? Harrison: "I played competitive soccer for five years and played a lot of basketball, along with skiing my whole life." What has been working so well with your game as of late and what are your biggest strengths as a golfer? Harrison: "As of recently, my game has been getting better and I believe it is just all my work starting to pay off but there's still a lot to do. I feel as a golfer, my biggest strength is not giving up mentally and grinding through all situations." Do you have a favorite round you've played or a favorite memory from your golf career up to this point? Harrison: "My favorite round of golf I've played is definitely in Pinehurst when I was younger in the U.S. Kids World Championships when I finished with three birdies in a row. It was a great feeling and moment to have with my caddy, who was my father." Do you have plans on golfing in college and if so, do you have any schools in mind? Harrison: "The goal with golf is to get to the next step and play Division I, I am very open to a bunch of schools and am not dead set on any yet." Who is your favorite musical artist/band? Harrison: "My favorite artist is Drake because I love the diversity of all his music and the meaning to the lyrics in the songs." Favorite restaurant and favorite food? Harrison: "My favorite food at the moment is probably Mexican food and I love Chipotle after a long day at the course." Outside of school and golfing, what do you like to do in your free time? Harrison: "I love to hang out with friends and go to the movies, along with playing basketball for fun and skiing." Is there a particular job you'd like to have someday? Harrison: "In the future, I would love to do something with golf, whether it ends up working out in the long run playing or being behind a brand or TV channel helping with the business side of it." If you had a piece of advice for other local athletes, what would you tell them? Harrison: "Keep practicing and don't give up, no matter what people say or think, and believe in yourself."