OUR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK COMMUNITY PARTNER
Each week, Monitor staff selects and interviews a local Athlete of the Week. Learn more about their accomplishments, their goals and what makes them unique. We’d like to thank our sponsor Capital City Kia.
Our partners do not participate in the selection of these athletes. That is fully at the discretion of our journalists.
Hopkinton golf’s newcomer, Devin Allen, broke out of the gates and won the first two matches of his varsity career.
Allen, a junior, continued playing well after the first two matches and has paced the Hawks to a 12-3 record so far this season.
It’s not every day that an older player pops out of the blue and gives a golf team a big boost, so Allen’s performances have propelled the young team with no seniors into the upper echelons of Division IV.
The Monitor caught up with him to ask about his game and his affinity for winning.
Q: How do you get “in the zone” for a golf match?
A: I really just try to focus in when I’m warming up, I take my time and make sure I feel ready when I go into these matches.
Q: What’s your favorite club you own?
A: Definitely my 52 degree, it’s the club I score the most with and easily the most comfortable club in my bag.
Q: What’s your favorite course in New Hampshire?
A: I love Beaver Meadow Golf Course, it’s where I work and it’s a beautiful course. It’s the course I’ve played the most and the logo is even embroidered on my bag.
Q: What does it take to be successful in high school golf?
A: Mostly eliminating mistakes and trying to keep your composure on the course. I think one of the key things in high school golf is accuracy and not as much power. Some of the best kids I’ve played with have had a really good short game.
Q: Why do you love golf?
A: I love golf because of its individuality and it reflects my mistakes only. Also, golf is something I never looked back on and thought I’ve wasted my time by playing it.
Q: How would you describe your play style?
A: I play fast, and I am very good on close approach shots and with my irons. I play very consistent and I like to shot shape a lot.
Q: How did it feel to win the first two matches of your Hawks career?
A: I thought it was awesome and I loved going out and playing my game and having some of my best rounds. I loved showing everyone that this can be a very successful year and that we have a good group of golfers.
Q: Do you have any golf superstitions or good luck charms?
A: I use a ball mark with the words “Lucky Charm” on it. I also use the same type of ball every time, but I’ve been thinking of switching it up.
Q: What are some aspects of your game you want to improve?
A: I would love to improve my chips and short game around the green. I also need to improve my driver and hit more fairways.
Q: How does golf compare to other sports you’ve participated in?
A: It’s definitely different from other sports I play, as I usually am with my teammates. I feel like one of the reasons for my success is because I have played other sports and it has translated into my golf game. I feel like baseball has helped my hand eye coordination dramatically and understanding how to swing something also translated.