NAOTB: Aaron Pounds
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. Aaron Pounds talks about his growth in the fall and arriving in Aggieland with his longtime friends and teammates.
What did you learn from your fall experience?
I learned a lot. I tried not to go into it with a whole lot of expectations and I wanted to try and learn each week. I think I did that. There was some good and some bad, but I think I’m going to be able to take those learning experience and use them to be better in the future.
What surprised you the most about college golf?
I think obviously it is the level of play. It is so much better. But, at the end of the day, it’s golf and the game really doesn’t change. I think it’s important to keep playing my game and not worry about what everyone else is doing. That’s the recipe for success.
Jack Usner and Jake Maggert have been your teammates for quite some time. What was the process of all three of you coming here?
So, I kind of knew for a while that I wanted to go to A&M, so I committed pretty early. I immediately started working on getting them to come here too. It was kind of a dream that I thought would be cool and just continued to keep working on them. I tried my best to be a good recruiter and eventually, it all kind of fell into place and super happy that it did.
How will the team’s trip to Spain the beginning of January help with the spring season?
The trip to Spain was such a cool experience. It allowed us to grow closer as a team. It also helped that we got some great weather and were able to get in some good rounds on some really nice courses. So I think the trip really got us prepared in the right frame of mind for the spring.
What would you say is the strength of your game?
My distance wedges are really solid, and I drive the ball pretty well.
What’s the main thing the coaches have been focusing on with you since the fall?
We’ve been working hard on the short game. We’re working on dialing in some of the chipping stuff and speed control. We’re working on the basic things that it takes to score. I think in the fall I could have done a much better job of converting on par fives and getting up and down from some pretty basic spots.
With your sisters Haley and Taylor coming here to play soccer, did you have a choice to go anywhere else?
I did, I looked around, but it was always my dream as a kid to come to A&M. Once I got that opportunity, I couldn’t let it pass.
What’s your favorite golf course and why?
The Country Club in North Carolina. I think it’s really underrated, and I like North Carolina golf with the tall pine trees. I got to play the U.S. Junior Amateur there and it was a phenomenal experience.
What’s your favorite Aggie tradition?
I thought Muster was really cool. Then at Traditions Night, I thought that was special because no other school does that.
What’s the best Aggieland advice your sisters have given you?
They’ve given me a lot of parking advice. So, all the logistics of everything. It gets pretty hectic, especially early in the school year. So that, and then just being friendly to everyone because everybody here is so nice.
What’s your favorite moment you’ve had here?
When I went to the A&M vs. LSU seven overtime game. It was really cool.
Do you use a special Sharpie marking on your ball?
I do, I use a pound sign next to the number just because it kind of goes with my last name.
