The days of high school athletes simply relaxing in the summer are long gone. Take incoming San Benito High sophomore Kami Brewer-Pozzi, for example. She recently attended an intensive five-day junior golf camp at Stanford University. The typical day for Pozzi included three to four hours of hitting balls, walking the course and finishing with non-golf games and activities that lasted until 8 or 9 p.m.
“The camp was really helpful,” said Brewer-Pozzi, who emerged as one of the Haybalers’ top golfers as a freshman a year ago. “It was definitely hard work, but worth it. I came out of it a better player mentally and physically.”
On the final day of the camp, Brewer-Pozzi had the best round of her burgeoning career, a solid 9-over par 80 at the Stanford Golf Course. The round included her first-ever eagle on the par-5 16th hole. Brewer-Pozzi hit a 230-plus yard drive off the tee before going with a 3-wood for her second shot that traveled to within 98 yards of the hole.
Brewer-Pozzi holed her third shot with a 9 iron, but she didn’t know the ball had rolled into the cup until she walked onto the green and another player told her the ball was in the hole.
“I was smiling and super excited,” Brewer-Pozzi said. “I couldn’t believe it. I actually had a putter in my hand when I walked onto the green.”
Brewer-Pozzi’s career-best round was actually her third 18-hole round of the week, which should serve her well in the future. After all, if Brewer-Pozzi does rise up to the top of the junior ranks, she’ll most likely have to play 36 holes in a single day at one point in her career.
“I think I got stronger in my mental capabilities by playing three 18-hole rounds,” she said. “It made me physically stronger walking the course while carrying my bag. I came out of the camp super strong.”
The 2016-17 school year is fast approaching—the first day of classes at San Benito High is Aug. 11—and Brewer-Pozzi has high hopes for the upcoming season. She wants to earn a berth into the Central Coast Section Championships while improving her stroke score.
