Hard work and humility pay off

Golf co-captain works hard to do well both on and off the course

Jessica Allen | Assistant Sports Editor | @Jessdaleallen

Photo courtesy of UVU Athletics

By the time a student is playing any sport at the collegiate level, it is typically assumed they have been mastering their craft for years to get to that point. However, that is not the case for Utah Valley University golfer JT Timmons.

Timmons, a junior who graduated in 2011 from Olympus High in Holladay, Utah, has been playing the game for a short four years.  

“My [high school] basketball coach asked me if I played golf, and I said ‘not really’ and I just started playing from there,” Timmons said.

Timmons played one game his junior year of high school, hated it and quit. Then, he picked it back up his senior year in 2011 and has enjoyed the game ever since.

He has been a natural at the collegiate level upon joining the ranks at UVU with solid performances during his freshman and sophomore year. Timmons became the first true freshman in UVU history to win individual medalist honors at a tournament when he claimed the top spot at the Pat Hicks Thunderbird Invitational with a tournament-record score of 134. During his sophomore year he earned four top-10 finishes including tying for third with a 6-under-par 138.

“It comes down to who is mentally the strongest, who stays in it the longest and who is consistent,” Timmons said. “My expectation for this year is that we will consistently win and make it to regionals. Individually I’d like to win some tournaments and qualify for regionals.”

However, even with his newfound love for golf, he did not give up his love of basketball.  He carries a full load majoring in Communication with an emphasis in public relations, leads the golf team as co-captain and plays recreational basketball four nights a week.

Timmons is a very humble and quiet leader who more naturally likes to keep to himself. He prefers to spend time practicing alone to really focus and get mentally prepared. He finds himself in a unique position on the team being one of the oldest members, and only having four years of experience. He always strives to set the right attitude and stay positive as a leader on the team.

“I’ve only been playing for four years so I am still learning the game,” Timmons said. “Every time I play I can learn something new. It motivates me to get better everyday.”