April 4, 2008

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - By Dean Holzwarth
The Grand Rapids Press

It was nearly 18 months ago that Forest Hills Central golfer Drew Preston won a Division 1 individual state championship in a three-hole playoff.

And while considerable time has lapsed since the sport last played in Michigan due to a switch in seasons, Preston vividly recounts the events of that day.

"It's been a long time since I won that day, but it was an awesome feeling," Preston said. "There was a ton of pressure on me in that playoff. I had to make a 15-foot putt on that first hole, and at one point I thought I was out of it. To come back and win was very exciting." Advertisement

Preston's win as a junior at the state tournament put him in select company as he was named to the Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association Super Team.

He returns this spring for his final year with even more pressure to duplicate the feat.

"I feel a lot of pressure, but when I look back at last year, I accomplished my goals," Preston said. "From an individual standpoint, I'm hoping to improve on my numbers, and I would like to win a team state title this year. If I can do everything that I did last year, then that would be wonderful."

Repeating as a state champion is not an easy thing to do, but Preston has the tools to do it.

Preston recorded a 73.4 stroke average for 18 holes last season, and averaged 39 strokes for nine holes in league play.

Forest Hills Central coach Paul TenEyk does not see many weaknesses in the senior's game.

"The biggest thing for him is he had such a great junior year, and it's (about) living up to that as a senior," TenEyk said. "I expect him to pick up where he left off. Even though it's been a year and a half since we've played, he had a great summer, and he was very competitive in (American Junior Golf Association) events.

"He's been working hard, and his swing is technically sound and his short game is strong. He's very competitive and focused, and there are not a lot of holes in his game."

One thing Preston will not have to worry about is college. He signed with Bowling Green in February.

"It's a relief to have signed, but I feel some added pressure because of what happened last year, and now I have the pressure of impressing my college coaches," Preston said. "One thing ends and another one starts."

Preston, who also played hockey in the winter, narrowed his college choices to Michigan State, Indiana and Bowling Green.

A sticking point for him was the hockey background of his future teammates and coach. Preston hopes to at least play club hockey in college.

"They have six guys on that team from Canada who played hockey, and I've been playing hockey for 14 years," Preston said. "My visit there was great and I like the coach -- he's a hockey guy."

As for his golf game, Preston recently went through a few swing changes that he hopes will result in lower scores.

"I made a few swing changes, so hopefully that will work out," Preston said. "I've always been able to strike the ball, but I can always improve on my putting. That's what makes your scores go down."