Silence enveloped the anxious crowd as it looked on in awe, while teammates and coaches stood watching, waiting to learn their future.
It was the Southeast Regional tournament in Atlanta, Ga. last May, when ASU senior golfer Scott Pinckney held his team’s fate in his hands.
A par from Pinckney on the 18th and final hole would send the ASU men's team into a playoff; a birdie would send them to the NCAA tournament.
After his previous shot left him six feet away from the cup, Pinckney handled the rare responsibility with ease, sinking the birdie putt and taking the Sun Devils to the NCAA tournament.
“The putt at regionals, it’s hard to beat that,” Pinckney said. “Everyone, the team went nuts, tons of people watching, huge fist pump, and a six footer for the team to go to nationals.”
Among the spectators gathered around the green was ASU coach Randy Lein who like the rest of the crowd, celebrated loudly when the putt went in.
“You would’ve thought we won the national title,” Lein said.
Despite the immense pressure and attention, Pinckney had delivered for his teammates. The pressure moments are the ones Pinckney lives for.
“That’s why you work, to get in those situations,” he said. “If you don’t like it then you’re not going to ever make it.”
For Pinckney, that birdie putt wasn’t just an accomplishment for his team, but also a step to even more success on the golf course.
“That’s one thing that showed me I can do it under pressure,” Pinckney said. “That’s what it’s about, doing it under pressure. You take these experiences and it led me to the Trans-Mississippi and hopefully it’s a snowball effect.”
After a breakout junior season, Pinckney’s success on the course continued into the summer. In July, he won the 107th Trans-Mississippi Championship in Denver.
“That was great, my first big major amateur event victory,” Pinckney said. “I’ve been playing well, I knew I’ve had the game awhile to compete on that level, and I finally broke through with a win.”
Now in August, with the start of a new year comes the beginning of Pinckney’s final season as a Sun Devil, one he has high hopes for.
“I can’t believe I’m already a senior, it’s crazy,” Pinckney said. “I’m going to be working really hard and getting my game ready. The team is looking really good. I expect nothing less than a national championship this year.”
Lein is confident that Pinckney will keep improving and winning on the golf course this year.
“He is much improved from his freshman, his sophomore, his junior [years] and no reason why he shouldn’t continue to improve this year,” Lein said.
The senior Sun Devil began his journey on the golf course when he was eight years old.
“My dad used to be a really good player and he brought me to the range when I was eight, and I just had a natural ability for it,” Pinckney said. “I fell in love with it. I’m by nature a perfectionist, and golf is the pursuit of perfection. That just gets me,” he said.
Along with his perfectionism, Pinckney possesses a work ethic second to none. With the start of the 2010 season only weeks away, Pinckney continues striving for perfection in all aspects of his game. However, he has devoted extra time to putting.
“I am constantly working on almost everything, but mainly I need to be more consistent with my putting,” Pinckney said. “I play well when I putt well. So if I get more consistent that way, get my speed correct and really start making some putts, I’m going to have a really good year this year.”
The ASU men’s golf program has a rich history of achievement, and has produced golfers who went on to play in the professional ranks.
After graduation, Pinckney hopes he too will one day play on the PGA Tour.
“I’ll play one more summer of amateur golf, hopefully make the Walker Cup team,” Pinckney said. “If I keep playing well I’ll get exemptions in the pro events. One day I’d like to be on the PGA Tour.”
In the meantime, Pinckney is still a Sun Devil, and odds are that until he graduates in May, he can be found at the player practice facility at the Karsten Golf Course working tirelessly to capture the perfection he so desires.
Reach the reporter at gjdillar@asu.edu
