By Tim Jackman (@AJGAJackman ), AJGA Communications
Cooper Dossey comes into the Haas Family Invitational as hot as anyone in field. In his last five AJGA tournaments he has claimed three runner-up finishes.
The 2014 Jerry Cole Sportsmanship Award winner and Rolex Junior All-American claimed second at the Under Armour® / Jordan Spieth Championship presented by American Campus Communities in July of 2015. In November, he finished in the same position at the Polo Golf Junior Classic and began the 2016 summer with his third second-place finish at the Thunderbird International Junior.
“I’ve had a ton of learning opportunities over the last year because of my finishes,” Dossey said. “I’ve been so close the last two Invitationals. This week I’m just looking to be patient and have fun and not focus on the result, but on the process.”
While Dossey has had several runner-up finishes, he has also gained confidence from awards and recognition. In April, he led his high school golf team to its third-straight Texas state championship. He was also awarded the AT&T Byron Nelson Award which is given to four junior golfers who distinguish themselves with a high level of junior tournament play as well as excellence in academics, exceptional character and a commitment to community service. Dossey credits his faith as a key factor in his recent success.
“I had kind of lost my identity and I was trying to find it in golf. The past eight months or so I have found it again in Christ and I owe everything to him,” Dossey said. “All the credit goes to him.”
Dossey will be attending Baylor University in the fall, and joins a team which looks to be a national contender in the future.
“I’m really excited to go (to Baylor) in the fall. I’m going to try and keep up the momentum going through the summer and try and play as much next year as I can. My ultimate goal is to help them win a national championship.”
Tuesday, Dossey will tee off in search of his first victory since 2014, but for him it’s also about enjoying one of his last junior tournaments.
“This is my third year here and I think the golf course is amazing. My favorite part of coming here is being able to play on a PGA TOUR course. It’s my last summer of junior golf, so it’s about having the most fun I can before my junior golf career is over.”