Watson takes professional approach

Brett Packee, the 2008 IPGA Teacher of the Year, has learned the hard way.

Regardless of the hour, as long as there is light out, he should expect a phone call or text message from Carmel junior Jack Watson. Watson has been known to practice before school and late into the evening.

Packee said Watson is one of the hardest workers he's coached.

"He's smart and mature for his age," said Packee, a Libertyville-based instructor. "He wants to be challenged because he wants to get better."

This season, Watson has set an extremely high standard for one of the area's best teams. Watson won the Lake Forest Quad at Lake Bluff Golf Course with a 2-under-par 70. He has earned medalist honors in almost all of Carmel's dual matches.

Watson had success over the summer in IJGA Tournaments, and that experience helped him in the Lake Forest Quad. Instead of tightening up and playing conservative down the stretch, he stayed aggressive and focused on making more birdies.

"I kept going for all my shots," he said.

Watson arrived at Carmel as a freshman with a wealth of talent, but he only hit the ball about 200 yards off the tee. As a result, he had little margin for error on the longer holes.

"I had to hit every fairway," he said.

Two years later, Watson has added about 60 yards off the tee. Packee said Watson's club-head speed has improved to 108 mph.

"When he's dialed in, the ball flies," Packee said.

Watson had plenty of motivation to work on his entire game after a disappointing end to his sophomore season. At the regional tournament, he took a '9' early in his round and missed qualifying for sectionals by two strokes.

"I wasn't as mentally tough as a sophomore," he said. "I got mad and didn't finish too well. If I had kept my head in it, I probably would have qualified for sectionals."

This taught him an extremely important lesson.

"Even if something bad happens early in a round, I stay in it and don't give up," he said.

Over the summer, Watson worked on a lower, more piercing ball flight.

"I used to sky the ball," he said. "Now, I hit it lower and farther. It's a better ball-flight."

Even when Watson is struggling with his full swing, he can make up for it with his play on and around the greens.

"One day, he'll hit it by the pin and the next he'll get up and down from everywhere," junior John Krzmarzick said. "He finds a way to score well."