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Local golfers among eight to play at St. Andrews
The golf club at St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland, is perhaps the world's most revered course. It's the periodic home of the British Open. Most golfers dream of playing there.
Brian Hickey, 17, and Austin Kaseman, 18, will have that opportunity later this month.
The former Loudoun Valley High School teammates were two of the eight students in the nation selected to play for the U.S. Junior Tours Golf Experience.
These eight students will compete in a team-based competition similar to the Ryder Cup as part of a trip to Scotland July 14-23.
"I'm looking forward to it," Hickey said. "I'm really excited just to play on the course that the greats played on."
Hickey and Kaseman, good friends who both reside in Philomont, were selected based on a variety of factors that make up "every part of that person," Hickey said.
From about 70 applicants, Hickey and Kaseman were chosen based on their skill, character and academic achievement.
"They're well-respected members of the community and excellent golfers," Loudoun Valley golf coach Gary McKay said.
Hickey and Kaseman helped lead Valley to a strong 2008 golf season. The Vikings finished first in the Cedar Run District, second in the Northwest Region, and eighth in the state.
Hickey is a rising senior and will look to lead Valley to another impressive season next year.
Kaseman is one of two on the team who graduated this year. He has high hopes for his former teammates in 2009 despite his departure.
"Next year ... is going to be the strongest team Valley's ever had," Kaseman said. "They have a good shot at states, definitely."
Kaseman this fall will attend Christopher Newport University in Hampton Roads, where he will study business and play golf for the Captains.
"I definitely want to keep pursuing golf," Kaseman said. "A lot of people become busy in college and get out of it. I don't want to."
Program selection
Hickey, Kaseman and McKay remarked how unusual it is for two golfers from the same high school to be selected for the tour.
Hickey credited the positive atmosphere McKay cultivates at Valley as a reason both were chosen for the team.
"He's a great coach," Hickey said.
As a transfer student, Kaseman is in a good position to evaluate Valley's golf team. He attended Notre Dame Academy in Middleburg his freshman, sophomore and part of his junior year before transferring to Valley.
"It's a real strong program," Kaseman said. "These past couple of years we've had an extremely strong team."
With the help of McKay, Kaseman and Hickey got in touch with Golf Experience director Scott Ott. They then submitted applications.
"We had to do a tryout," Kaseman said. "It was based on the handicap and skill level. You also had to list your contributions to golf and how much time you put into it. So it's based on skill and dedication and commitment to the game too."
They were thrilled to learn that they'd both be able to attend the Experience together.
"It's great to have someone you know," Hickey said.
Since then, they've been counting the days until they get to play at St. Andrews.
"I'm going to play on the most famous course in the world, the 'home of golf,'" Kaseman said. "That's the most exciting part, definitely."
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