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COLLEGE GOLF: SAYRE'S BLAIR VERBALLY COMMITS TO PLAY AT TOMPKINS-CORTLAND CC (2020-04-14)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
SAYRE "” Sayre senior Gavin Blair found exactly what he was looking for at Tompkins-Cortland Community College, and has verbally committed to play his first two years of collegiate golf there, beginning in the fall.

"I visited there twice last year, and it just felt like home. I felt a strong connection with the campus," he said.

"I wanted to go to a smaller school. Growing up in the Valley, you feel at home everywhere you go, and I felt that same connection at TC3.

"And, they have a nice sports management program, which is what I'm looking to pursue for a full-time career after college," noted Blair. "TC3 has ties with Syracuse and the University of Buffalo for some of their programs, and that was another thing that drew my interest.

"I got some offers from some bigger schools," he added. "I just didn't feel comfortable anywhere else."

Blair said he also received offers from Penn College, Penn State-Hazleton, Delaware Valley, and Keuka College.

After two years, Blair said he can re-evaluate and move on from there.

"With TC3 being a junior college, I'll still have some opportunities after my two years, whether it's golf or academics - or both.

"I'm looking to pursue a career in golf, but if I fail at golf ... worse-case scenario I'll have my degree to fall back on for something I've always had a passion for, and that was my plan when I started looking for a college," said Blair.

"My goal would to be stay in the golf world, but I also grew up playing baseball and football, so anything sports-related would be great.," noted Blair. "Growing up, sports was my life - it's a get-away from all the craziness that goes on in the world.

"I'm looking for anything I can find a passion in, and enjoy getting up every day and going to work; that's the goal," he added.

Blair knows he has some work to do on his game in preparation for the next level.

"I need to work on consistency, and having the confidence you see the tour professionals have.

"Obviously, I'm not a tour pro, but I need to play with the same type of confidence," said Blair. "I have to be able to put a bad shot behind me, and play with confidence."

Sayre golf coach Jamie VanDuzer agreed with Blair's self-assessment.

"I believe Gavin has the tools for the next level," said VanDuzer. "He has a nice golf swing, but as with most golfers, it's a bit inconsistent at times.

"He practices well and often," he noted. "When things are going well for Gavin, he can score.

"I think his biggest obstacle will be himself. He sometimes can get flustered when he has a bad hole or two, and that leads to higher scores for him.

"Once he figures out how to just let those couple holes go and just forget it and hit the next shot, he will be just fine," added VanDuzer. "That's difficult for any golfer to do, let alone a teenager."

"”"”"”"”"”"”

IN PHOTO: Gavin Blair.

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