Wheeling's Ferguson is ahead of the game

Jack Ferguson was the recipient of quite an accolade to start the school year.

The Wheeling sophomore was chosen to participate in the school's peer mentoring program, an honor usually reserved for upperclassmen.

"These students are chosen to mentor the incoming freshmen, and make sure they're fitting in well and getting their work done," said Wheeling faculty member Mark Menich, who also happens to be the boys golf coach. "It helps to introduce them to the school, and it's reserved for those students who exhibit leadership qualities.

"And Jack is right up there with the best that Wheeling has to offer. He's earned the respect of his peers in a very short time, and he's demonstrated great leadership skills ­- and those skills will only increase by participating in this program."

Ferguson, who excels not only in the classroom but also on the golf course, was flattered by his inclusion in the mentoring advisory.

"I was surprised - ­and honored," said Ferguson. "There are not too many sophomores included. I look forward to freshman orientation, and to help the new kids get used to our school."

Ferguson, who made quite a name for himself on the links as a freshman, also is eagerly looking forward to the prep golf season.

The sophomore led Wheeling into the upper echelon of the Mid-Suburban League last year, excelling during the conference season and ultimately qualifying for the state tournament as an individual.

Ferguson wasn't awed at state as he finished tied for 26th in Bloomington amongst 105 golfers, impressive to say the least for a freshman.

"It was an unbelievable experience," Ferguson said of his participation in the tourney at Fox Creek Golf Course. "I couldn't believe I got the chance to be there. I played every shot in that tournament as if it were my last shot.

"I knew there could be some high scores, but I kept grinding it out and I was pretty happy with the results."

Ferguson started playing the sport at the age of 7, encouraged by his dad John, and said that about the "age of 12 or 13" he realized just how good he could be.

Then came his freshman year at Wheeling, and Menich saw something in the young player that showed he could be something special.

"He has the type of competitiveness that has not been seen in our program in quite awhile," said Menich. "I kind of compare him to Joe Kent, a multi-sport athlete who played here several years ago.

"Jack is just as competitive as Joe was, and actually he may be even more so. These are the type of guys who know that settling for second place is just settling.

"Guys that like are always looking to come out on top, and they'll do whatever they have to do to reach the top."

Ferguson has played throughout his youth in programs such as the Illinois Junior Golf Association and the Kids Golf Foundation at Old Orchard Country Club, and he kept busy this past summer by playing in many tourneys and winning five IJGA events.

And now that he's a sophomore, he knows that the stakes on the course and the expectations for himself and his team are even higher.

"This year, I have more experience," said Ferguson. "Last year it was difficult to go right from schoolwork to playing golf. It was definitely a growing experience.

"This season, I think there's no limit as to how good we can be. Our goal is to get downstate as a team. We know how tough the competition will be, but I think it's a realistic goal, and I can't even imagine what it would be like at school if we did it."

The Wildcats have a strong nucleus with Ferguson playing alongside stellar teammates Zach Nauert and Mike Taylor. The three linksters have been friends since grade school.

"We know each other's games," said Ferguson. "We give each other advice all the time, tell each other what we're thinking, and ask each other for help if something is going wrong."

The three amigos led Wheeling to a fifth-place finish in the MSL last season, a placing that undoubtedly would have been even higher had not Ferguson missed the MSL tourney meet because of illness, much to his regret.

"Missing last year's championship meet really hurt," said Ferguson. "I was dying to play."

Ferguson is an avid student and athlete. He has also played basketball, and counts math and Spanish as two of his favorite courses in school. The sophomore believes his future vocation could be in the foreign language field.

But these days thoughts of golf take up much of his time, and he recently traveled to Kohler, Wis., to watch the pros take on Whistling Straits at the PGA championship, where he got to watch players like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickleson up close and personal.

"Those guys are just amazing," said Ferguson. "The crowds weren't too bad so we were able to get really close, and watch how they shape their shots. Their dedication is unbelievable."

Ferguson specifically mentioned veteran golfer Fred Couples, who he says has "an effortless swing" as one of his role models, and hopes to take what he witnessed at the PGA and apply it to his own prep season.

And though Ferguson is a definite team-oriented individual, he does have very specific goals for himself as well in 2010.

"I want to go downstate again ­- and this time make the top 10," he said.

And anyone who knows the sophomore's dedication and resolve would never bet against it.