Santa Maria Sun / Athlete of the Week

Athlete of the Week: Brandon Erickson

BY KRISTINA SEWELL

Local golfer Brandon Erickson claimed the championship trophy at the Fred Grant Memorial Junior Golf Tournament on July 13th, sponsored by the Santa Maria Elks at the Rancho Maria Golf Club.

Brandon Erickson PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SANTA MARIA ELKS

The tournament is held annually in honor of Fred Grant, who was a longtime member of the Elks, as well as an advocate and sponsor for junior golf on the Central Coast.

Erickson, an Atascadero High School student, shot an even par of 72 and posted the low score for the boys in the 15- to 17-year-old division.

The young golfer has been playing since he was 9 and got into golf because of his dad. Erickson grew to love golf for many reasons—one of them being that the risk of injury is minimal.

During the summer months, Erickson stays on top of his game, practicing three to four times a week. He works on his game with golf coaches Spencer Dennett and Brett Rock.

“I’m trying to improve my short game right now,” Erickson said. “That’s the most important.”

He explained that the best part of golf is just being out on the course. The hardest part, he said, is when you don’t play well.

 Erickson hopes to play in college, but he hasn’t thought seriously about where he wants to go. He said he would be competing in more golf tournaments this summer, with another one scheduled at the Rancho Maria Golf Club.

When his nine irons aren’t in his hands, Erickson also plays basketball for Atascadero High School. He said he just plays that game for fun and is more skilled with golf.

“Golf has become an outlet to take my mind off things, and it’s fun,” he said.

Other athletic standouts at the tournament included David Talley and Brandan Pita, who both tied for second place in the 15- to 17-year-old division. Christopher Wong took the championship for the 12- to 14-year-old division, and Sarah Fouratt took the title for the girls division after shooting a par 40.