April 8, 2008

QUEENS, N.Y. - Senior co-captain and All-America candidate Keegan Bradley began playing golf at an early age. In fact, he picked up his first club as soon as he could walk, at age 2. With his father, Mark Bradley, a club professional and his aunt, Pat Bradley, a Hall of Famer, Bradley had little choice in the matter. The family golfed in the summer and skied in the winter. It was all he knew.

Starting at around age 5, he would leave for work with his father at roughly 5:30 a.m. and observe at the golf course all day. His father has served as the head pro at three golf courses, including his current position at Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis Club in Wyoming. Bradley spent his days practicing, hitting balls and honing his skills.

In 1998, at the J.C. Penney Classic, a mixed team event, Bradley caddied for a team consisting of his father and aunt. The duo went on to claim a check in the event.

"I am a PGA Club Professional. Keegan wants to be a tournament player, so he is following more in the steps of his Aunt Pat," said Bradley's father, Mark. "We have been talking about this since he was little. He has always wanted to play inside the ropes. When he was only 5 years old, he told me that he wanted to be a PGA tour player. I told him that we should start out with a scholarship to college. He earned a scholarship to St. John's and its time to complete the second part of that. Now is his chance to become a career tournament player. This is all he has ever talked about."

"It was great because it was all I wanted to do," said Bradley. "So I would get up really early in the morning and go to work with him."

Bradley decided to come to St. John's instead of one of the many other Southern schools who recruited him. Growing up in Vermont, Bradley may have been overshadowed and undervalued, but St. John's head coach Frank Darby saw his potential.

"I love St. John's. It was St. John's all the way," said Bradley. "I really wanted to stay in the Northeast. Coach Darby was good to me and it was a perfect fit. I'm so glad I ended up coming here."

Bradley's favorite thing about St. John's is watching the men's and women's basketball teams play in Carnesecca Arena and at Madison Square Garden. That is, when he is not out on the links.

"I really enjoy the city and all of the golf courses in the area," said Bradley. "The courses around here are the best in the country. They make everyone better. The best part about playing here is the golf courses."

Last season, Bradley tied for eighth place in the BIG EAST and earned all-conference honors. He also tied for 32nd in the NCAA East Regional. The All-America candidate is currently ranked No. 23 amongst intercollegiate golfers this season.

"Keegan is one of the best golfers I have coached in my 13 years here at St. John's," said Darby. "Not only is he supremely talented, he is a fine young man as well. His drive is phenomenal and will one day be a great pro."

Bradley has made a statement in his senior year, winning the Hawk's Invitational in Massachusetts in September, finishing at 4-under. Bradley, a co-captain, has led his team to medal in every event in the fall. On March 27th in the Carter Plantation Intercollegiate, he took 2nd after fighting a tough stretch of weather in the early rounds. Bradley came back to shoot 69 in the third round. Bradley took the Palmas Del Mar Intercollegiate in Puerto Rico in March as well, shooting 5-under. Most recently, Bradley won the Ironwood Invitational in Greenville, N.C., with a 6-under standout performance. The Red Storm is currently pursuing a bid to the NCAA Tournament, with one event remaining before the BIG EAST Championship, and Bradley's leadership is one of the very reasons.

The highlight of the senior co-captain's career was the Red Storm's come-from-behind win on the last day of the Roadrunner Intercollegiate in Texas over SMU last fall. The Red Storm entered the final round down two strokes and ended competition 20-under. The victory over SMU gave the Red Storm its first tournament title of the season.

"That day was something really special," said Bradley. "The come-from-behind win was really amazing. Everything about that tournament was really fun."

"St. John's will always feel like home to me and always be close to my heart. I will miss Coach Darby and the team more than competition or anything else." Keegan Bradley

Bradley credits Pete Solana, a volunteer assistant coach, to his improvement and success. Solana volunteers his time and skills as a sports hypnotist and contributes to the team's mental preparation. Solana's time with the Red Storm helps eliminate their mental blocks during competition and allows them to perform at the highest level.

"Pete has changed my life," said Bradley. "He and coach Darby have changed the attitude of the team. They have created and transformed a team into one that is competitive on the national level. Pete volunteers his time for us and I can honestly say that without him, I have no idea where I would be as a golfer. He has completely changed my game as well as the games of the teammates. He has done more for me personally than I could ever imagine. In the game of golf as in any other sport, you have to be extremely tough mentally. In working with Pete, I have strengthened that part of my game to the point where I honestly feel like I have a definite edge over any player I face. It creates an extremely deep state of focus. Some people may call it the `zone,' but I like to call it extreme focus. It enables you to perform at your highest level, in the most extreme pressure."

Bradley feels confident in the future of his team. Mike Ballo Jr., a poised and talented sophomore will look to lead the team after Bradley graduates.

"Mike is one of the best golfers in the country," said Bradley. "By the time he is a senior, he will be extremely dominant and the best in the BIG EAST. He will be competitive at the national level and be a great pro. Mike, Evan [Beirne], Dan [Mollicone], Casey [Calmi], and Kevin [Velardo] are the future of the team."

As his collegiate career comes to a close, Bradley looks forward to his future. His plans include competing in the North East Amateur and later working on earning his pro tour card. Bradley plans to attend qualifying school (Q-School) in the fall. Although his future is bright, he will never forget the impact the St. John's has had on him.

"St. John's will always feel like home to me and always be close to my heart," said Bradley. "I will miss Coach Darby and the team more than competition or anything else. I have also had such great family support from everyone, including my mother. She means everything to me. Without her, I would be nowhere in my golf career."