To be a strong golfer, you need to be well-rounded in many facets of the sport. St. Mary’s standout Shea Newhall, of Lynn, does just about everything at a high level – and has some accolades to prove it.
In the past year, high school senior Newhall excelled in competitions at Portsmouth (N.H.) CC (the St. Mary’s Spartans took care of business against Lowell Catholic) and home course Gannon Municipal GC in Lynn.
Later this year, Newhall aims to conquer the courses in North Carolina when he begins his collegiate career at Methodist University. Gannon’s head PGA Professional David Sibley went to Methodist.
“That’s how I found out about it. Their golf team is really good. As a Division 2 school, I feel I have a chance to make the golf team more than the other PGM (Professional Golf Management) schools, which are higher Division 1 schools,” Newhall said. “I heard a lot about the success rate of pros coming out of Methodist. They give you the best odds and get you the experience you need through the program and the internships.”
Newhall was so set on Methodist that he put all of his eggs in one basket – it was the only school he applied to.
Although a risk, Newhall said it “meant a lot” once accepted.
“Knowing I got into the school that I wanted and the program that I wanted to do was a great feeling.”
Not only will Newhall enjoy the weather down in Fayetteville, but the facilities, too.
“They’re amazing. There’s an 18-hole golf course on campus, three or four Trackmans, and a full grass range,” said Newhall, a starter on St. Mary’s baseball team in the spring. “That’s what I’m looking forward to doing. I just want to get as good as I can at golf. They also have a three-month internship during summer break. You can go to the likes of Titleist, TaylorMade, or wherever you want to go. You get an interview and see who accepts you and then you choose where you want to go for the summer.”
Newhall took up golf in middle school and improved each year.
“I really started to pick it up in 7th or 8th grade,” he said. “I played a couple of matches on the (St. Mary’s) team and after that, I just loved the game.”
Newhall played golf a few times with his dad, Jason, when he was young, but it was during the seventh grade when he really “fell in love.”
At Portsmouth CC, Newhall shot a two-over 74 – impressive as it was his first time playing the course.
“I just went into the course blindly. I didn’t know anything about it. I was very impressed by what I did out there. Going out there blind on a difficult course. My dad, who played there before, said it’s a tough course to play. I surprised myself a lot. It was very tough and the greens were very tough that day, but I read them pretty well. I was hitting fairways and making putts.”
Playing well at Gannon, that was even more special.
“That one meant a lot to me. I think last summer, I went to Gannon every day to get ready for it. I played in the tournament before that and shot a 74 and I felt that I could just do a lot better at my home course. I went out there and played the best I ever did on the front nine. Then, it was just about keeping it steady on the back.” He shot a 1-under 69.
