Mays
hunts, strives for big win
By Karl Peterson
The On-line Forty-Niner
Golf
can be one of the most challenging sports.
It requires consistent physical strength
and coordination combined with mental fortitude.
Long Beach State golfer Tyler Mays is well
aware of these required skills and uses
them to become one of the top 49er men’s
golfers.
 Mays,
who is a senior studying communications,
did not just show up to the golf course
one day and shoot a round of 68. He had
to practice for many years and put himself
in the right situation to become a successful
golfer.
“I have been playing for 16 years now,”
said Mays, a Las Vegas native.
Throughout those 16 years, Mays has spent
many hours a week on the golf course, including
a current regiment of year-round practice
and play.
“During the season we usually practice and
play five days a week,” Mays said. “Since
it’s an all-year sport, pretty much our
only break is during Christmas.”
Persistence in acquiring a skill is difficult
without setting goals, but fortunately Mays
is no stranger to striving toward his aspirations.
“My main goal this season is to at least
win one tournament,” Mays said. “I came
close last year a couple of times and to
try to be an All-American.”
In addition to years of hard work, Mays
had to find the right situation to properly
showcase his skills.
He started his college career in his hometown
at the University of Nevada Las Vegas where
things did not work out as well as he had
hoped.
“The coach [and I] had our differences the
last year I was there, so I kind of figured
it would be better if I left to get a new
coaching style,” Mays said.
“I’m from Las Vegas originally so I wanted
to get away from everything, from all of
my friends and all of the distractions to
see what I could do,” Mays added.
Thus far, Mays’ new career in Long Beach
has been quite fruitful.
“He had the best year last year and I still
feel that he is our best golfer,” LBSU head
coach Bob Livingstone said.
Mays finished in either the first or second
place among 49er golfers in seven of eleven
tournaments last season, and has been the
second best 49er golfer in both tournaments
this season.
In addition, Mays has also been able to
become a successful student golfer because
of his disposition.
“Tyler is really laid back, but at the same
time he is really competitive,” said senior
Robert Sul, fellow 49er golfer and communications
major. “We transferred from UNLV at the
same time, so we have this thing where we
are competitive in school and on the course.”
Yet with all of the effort and discipline
needed to be a collegiate golfer, Mays has
not lost sight of the opportunity afforded
him and the fun aspects of the game.
“The best thing about golfing at Long Beach
State is that it’s cool to meet so many
people,” Mays said. “When you go on trips
you get to meet kids from different schools.”
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