University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Know the Newcomers: Will Grevlos
11/28/2018 3:20:00 PM | Men's Golf
Previously: Harry Plowman-Ollington | Noah Rasinski | Lincoln Johnson
The final golfer in the series is freshman Will Grevlos, a Sioux Falls, S.D. native. Prior to his arrival at Minnesota, Grevlos was the 2017 South Dakota Golf Association State Junior champion. He claimed the title four other times, as well, and holds the SDGA Junior Tour's scoring record (8-under 64). He played his high school career at Washington High School, where he was a two-time state champion. He captured team and individual Class AA titles in 2016 and set a state record with his eight-stroke victory after carding two rounds of 69. He was a five-time South Dakota High School Activities Association All-State honoree. He has tournament victories in nine different states and had four top-15 AJGA finishes, including two top-five showings. This fall, Grevlos made his college debut at the Gopher Invitational, and tied for 52nd.
Gopher Sports: How long have you been playing golf?
Will Grevlos: "My whole life. My dad got me into it when I was really young, probably [at age] one or two, he just gave me clubs."
GS: Why did you choose the University of Minnesota?
WG: "The coaches. I really like the coaches. They're really nice guys and they support the team. The schedule is amazing that they put together, competing against the best teams, and that's what you want. Then also obviously the facilities, it's really nice out here and way better than anything I've had where I'm from, and the new indoor facility is going to be great."
GS: Have you noticed a big difference in play from high school to college?
WG: "It's way better, obviously. All the guys that are playing in these tournaments are super solid. It's not like you're going to get a guy who can't shoot under par anytime. High school golf is not as serious, I mean I took it seriously, but for a lot of guys it's not as serious. Other than that, it felt the same. It's just playing golf. The tournament felt the same as any other time I'll be playing, any other tournament."
GS: Where are the biggest strengths of your game?
WG: "It can be off the tee, but I'd say around the green is really my strength. When I get it off track a little bit, I seem to get it up and down and save my rounds a little bit, so that's definitely my strength."
GS: You've performed well at the junior level and in high school, has that success set you up well for the collegiate level?
WG: "Yeah, for sure. I think you have to be able to win at any level. If you can't win at the high school level or junior level, it's not going to translate well once you get to college. You've got to be able to know how to win and how to shoot scores, and I think that's definitely going to help me play these difficult courses against better competition. I think it's going to translate pretty well."
GS: Did you find yourself thinking back to some of those other tournaments to get you through a certain spot or set of holes in that first tournament?
WG: "Not through a certain spot, but obviously I was super nervous. I just had to think about how I've played thousands of rounds in my life, thousands of competitive rounds where I've played really well. I just kind of looked at that and said, 'you've got nothing to be nervous about, just go play.'"
GS: What was your first collegiate tournament like for you?
WG: "It was a really fun experience. I got to play with some really good players, awesome guys, and just being out there in the Maroon and Gold representing Minnesota felt really good. I really enjoyed it, and I'm very proud to represent it. It just felt right and it was a great experience."
GS: What were some of your biggest takeaways and what did you learn about yourself after the tournament?
WG: "I learned that I have the same skills as some of the best college players out there. Sometimes it's not as consistent, but I'm able to do the things that these guys are able to do and if I could become a more consistent, I think that would help me and my confidence a bit more."
Off the Course with WillÂ
Favorite course to play: Whistling Straits
Favorite food: Pork chops
Favorite TV show: The Office, How I Met Your Mother, Parks and Rec
Favorite movie: Harry Potter... all of them
Favorite music artist: Vance Joy
Favorite sport other than golf: Basketball
Favorite golfer: Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods
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