Nathan Lockey - September 16, 2004
This week's TCO Athlete of the Week is Nathan Lockey.
This week's TCO Athlete of the Week Nathan Lockey only realized golf was his true passion last year. However he has already managed to carve out a name for himself in the sport, placing first in the Canadian Junior Golf Association's Ontario PGA Championship in 2004.
A graduate of North Park Collegiate, 17 year-old Nathan returned to the classroom this year to upgrade a university preparation course. He is hoping his grades, combined with his strong ability as a golfer, will earn him a scholarship to an American university.
While Nathan has played golf recreationally since the age of 8, it was only recently that he became serious about the game. Previously his sporting pursuits were consumed with both inline and ice hockey. A member of the Brantford Rolling Thunder for ten years, Nathan played for the Team Ontario squad that captured the World Inline Hockey Championship title for the 16 and under division in 2002.
Nathan's ice hockey career included stints on both "AAA" and "A" level teams with the Brantford Minor Hockey Association. He was a member of the Bantam "A" Alliance Minor Hockey champions in 2002, and that same year took home a bronze medal from the Lake Placid Can-Am Challenge Cup. Nathan has earned several awards, including Most Valuable Player, at various hockey tournaments.
In 2003 Nathan hung up his skates to devote his time and energy to improving his golf game. He has been working under the tutelage of Tom Jackson, Director of the Club Link Academy at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario. In addition to his top finish at the Ontario PGA Juniors, he also won the Ontario Optimist Mid-West Regional Championship. He was the second place finisher in the Brant County High School Individuals Championships in 2004, and was the third place finisher at the Ontario Optimist Championship.
Nathan has volunteered in the community at minor hockey summer schools and Learn to Skate programs, and has participated in various charitable events, including the Cancer Society's Relay for Life, and the Brantford Classic Run. He has worked at Arrowdale Municipal Golf Course in the Pro Shop, and has also been employed as a referee and linesman in Brant County for four hockey seasons.
At present, Nathan's primary goal is to obtain a golf scholarship, enabling him to play NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) golf, taking him one step closer to his long-term goal, a career in professional golf.
Congratulations Nathan, and good luck! |
