NAOTB: Jack Usner
Athletics Communications
The Texas A&M men’s golf team added three freshmen who figure to play a huge role in the 2023-24 campaign.
12thMan.com had an opportunity catch up with one of the three. Jack Usner talks about his collegiate debut at Erin Hills, what he’s working on in his game and more.
How was your experience playing your first collegiate tournament at Erin Hills?
“It was awesome. I made the commitment to A&M to go play tournaments like that and to get the experience like I had with the team last week. I just enjoy getting really close with the guys. I’ve only been on campus for a couple of weeks and I’m starting to feel very comfortable around them. I learned a lot – especially from the coaches. I finally get to have them follow me around the course and walk with me through holes and talk me through shots. It’s amazing how much you can learn from those two guys. I’m excited to keep doing that.
Do you have any strong A&M family ties?
“Not at all, actually, most of my ties are to LSU.”
In a unique situation, you joined the team with a pair of your high school teammates – Jake Maggert and Aaron Pounds – was there a ringleader who led the effort for all three of you to come to Aggieland?
“Aaron committed the summer of our junior year – in July. He was my partner for the USGA Four-Ball. We rode together to the qualifier in Louisiana. On the ride home from a tournament I remember Aaron and his dad were talking me into it pretty hard. I was pretty sold and I ended up committing. Then we got Jake about a year later. I’m so thankful to have those guys as my teammates.”
With Jake and Aaron here with you, has the transition been easier?
“Definitely. We’re rooming together. We have all been friends since high school and even before that. We all played at the same club growing up at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands. We’ve spent so much time together the last few years, so it has made the transition to college very easy.”
What was your experience like performing well at the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship in back-to-back years with Aaron as your teammate?
“It was some of the most fun I've had on the course. There's nothing like USGA events, they put those on better than most. It was great. The first year we played at the Country Club of Birmingham, where we’re going to play the SEC Match Play event so it was kind of a practice round for that. We’ve been four-ball teammates long before that. We played in the PGA Junior League national championship at Grayhawk in seventh and eighth grade.”
What would you say the strength of your game is?
“I’d say my ball striking and my driver. Usually whenever I’m playing my best golf, it’s because I’m hitting it really well and I’m getting off the tee really well. Those are definitely things I need to make sure I keep doing well.”
What has been the coaches main focus with you?
“I struggle the most with lag putting on the course. I think this week was great because it exposed a lot of parts of my game. Being a U.S. Open course, it required you to be really efficient at everything to play well. It was very windy and I struggled a little bit with some crosswinds and picking the right shots. The coaches really helped me out this week in practice with my stability, swing and a lot of putting.”
What has been the biggest difference from high school to your collegiate experience so far?
“There isn’t anything like being on a team, which is something junior golf can’t give you whether. When you’re on a high school golf team, it’s not as serious. You don’t have the 7 a.m. workouts for your high school golf team. It’s a different bond when you’re with guys who are all just as good as you every day. It’s awesome getting to play with and against great players everyday whether it’s practice or qualifying. It just pushes you to be better every day. I can go ask one of the guys on the team to play me in match play on the course tomorrow and I’d get the kind of competition I’d get in a tournament."
What is your favorite golf course you’ve played at?
“I love TPC Sawgrass. It has such a great design. I played the Junior Players twice. I didn’t even get to play it when it was in its best shape. It’s always really hot the beginning of September. In March it’s dark lush green when it’s on TV. But it’s still a great course in September. The Blessings in Arkansas is where I won an AJGA Invitational and I thought that course was awesome too.”
What Aggieland advice have your teammates given you, if any?
“Be careful about parking. I’ve already gotten two parking tickets so lessons are being learned for sure.”
Who is your favorite golfer?
“I love to watch Rory McIlroy. He’s by far my favorite player. The way he hits it and how stable he is in his golf swing, he’s probably one of the most consistent players of our generation because of how he can strike it that well every week. I think that’s very valuable to have in your game.”
Do you use any special Sharpie markings on your ball?
“I make a line that goes all the way around. A thin line kind of like an equator on the ball that I line up. It that helps me line up to my spot. It looks really good when you roll it straight, it rolls really tight. It’s good feedback to know if you made a good shot or not. If you push it or pull, it may be wobbly.”
