At the Central Florida Junior Golf Tour championships, Plant City golfer Nicholas Strickler went out and hoped for some good play. In the end, Strickler got the best possible outcome: he won first place in the 10 to 13 age group and also took home Player of the Year honors.
You did pretty well at the Central Florida tourney, and your buddy (William McLeod) finished right behind you as runner-up. How did it feel for you guys to both take the top spots?
It felt good. Really good.
Tell me a little about that tournament. What was it like?
We had to play good, pretty much.
What was the course?
Lone Palm Golf Club.
How many tournaments have you competed in?
I’ve competed in six so far.
Is this your first first-place win?
No. It was my third. The other two were over this summer.
How long have you been golfing?
A little over a year.
What made you get into it?
I just really have fun playing it. I started going with my dad.
Do you play other sports?
Sometimes, I play basketball.
Is there any sport you’ve never played before that you’d like to try?
Not really.
What else do you like to do for fun?
I like to fish.
What do you like to fish for?
Anything, really.
What’s your biggest catch?
I did catch two sharks and a stingray on the same day, in Boca Grande.
Who’s your favorite golfer?
Rickie Fowler.
How old are you?
I’m 12.
Where do you go to school?
Tomlin Middle.
What’s your favorite subject?
Probably math.
What’s your favorite golf course?
Augusta is cool.
What’s your favorite movie?
Happy Gilmore.
What’s your favorite food?
Waffles.
Where’s the best place to get good waffles in Plant City?
At my house.
Do you play any video games?
I play “Call of Duty,” sometimes. But not very much.
What’s your favorite thing on TV?
Golf. I love golf.
If you could hang out with Rickie Fowler for a day, what would you want to do?
Play a round of golf.
Let’s say you’re a pro golfer, and you make a billion dollars. What’s the first thing you’d buy?
Probably a boat.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Flying. I would just like to go above and fly over everything.
What’s your home course?
River Hills.
Let’s say you’re at River Hills, and a younger kid comes up to you. He’s just getting into golf for the first time and asks you for advice. What do you tell him about being a good golfer?
To have fun but work hard.
Is being a golf pro something you’re interested in, or do you want to do something else when you grow up?
Yeah, that’s what I dream of. Being a pro.