Golden Falcons' Bartlett signs to play golf at St. Andrews

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 8, 2016 1:48 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- The selling points were just too good to pass up.

Playing time.

One-on-one teaching.

No driving to classes.

And the biggest bargain? Possible practice in the Pinehurst area, home of several U.S. Open golf championships.

Talk about a no-brainer.

After meeting with St. Andrews head coach William Carter and playing a round with him, Charles B. Aycock senior Blake Bartlett leapt at the chance to play golf for the up-and-coming NAIA program. He signed his national letter-of-intent Thursday morning.

"St. Andrews has only 10 or 11 guys, and they have the option to take two teams (to tournaments)," said Bartlett, who noted that most Division II and Division III schools take just one five- or six-player team to tournaments.

"He said regardless of what seed you are, I would get to play at least four tournaments throughout the year. That was probably the biggest selling factor as far as the golf program because I knew that would give me an opportunity to grow and get into the competitive pace of it."

And Bartlett has plenty of room for growth.

He picked up the game at a young age, but split time between the links and the baseball diamond. His affinity for baseball dwindled after his freshman year, and he decided to devote his time to golf.

It's been a good move.

It's also been a teaching tool as well, especially developing a consistent game through 18 holes. Bartlett effectively uses his irons, usually hits either around or on the greens and fares well in his short game.

Off the tee?

That's a little tricky for Bartlett.

"My problem is really mental," he said. "The biggest thing to me is picking a little target because that makes your misses smaller. Now, I''ve gotten to where I either pick out a tree or post marker. If I miss my target there, it's not as big of a miss.

"(Coach Williams) expected, if I keep improving, I could be on the 'A' team. I just feel like if I could get off the tee (well), make it a strength instead of a weakness, I can really help them out and be a good player there."

Bartlett's goal this season has been to shoot under par in at least two matches. He's fired a pair of 73s, but has also experienced a couple of rough outings that resulted in the low 80s.

Aycock, as a team, has shot in the 330s.

The Golden Falcons, the reigning Wayne County Classic champions, have qualified as a team for the eastern 3-A regionals each of the past two seasons. Bartlett did not participate with the 2014 squad.

He feels the group can once again qualify, but maybe take the extra step and reach the state championship meet for the first time since 2006. CBA also made appearances in 1997, 2003 and 2005.

"I feel like we can be one of the top teams in the state if we reach our potential," Bartlett said.