After seven years of playing golf, Parklane Academy senior Colby Blake will continuing his career next season at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
MGCCC qualified to play in the National Championship 10 straight seasons and Blake was impressed with head coach Tommy Snell.
“I liked the facilities,” he said. “I liked the coach. I liked where the town is and everything about it.”
Meridian Community College also recruited Blake.
MGCCC freshman Jonathon Newman, a North Pike graduate, and Blake have been friends for several years.
“I talked to him a bunch before I made my commitment,” Blake said. “He just told me he really liked it, enjoyed it and liked the program and where it was.”
Blake and Newman competed in many friendly matches at the Quail Hollow Golf Course in McComb. Blake said he and Newman each won some of the matches.
This will be the first time Blake and Newman are on the same team in school.
“It will be fun,” Blake said. “He’s a good friend and a good competitor. We’ll be able to play together.”
Newman expressed similar sentiments about Blake.
“We’re excited,” Newman said. “I’m excited we’ve got him on the team. I think he’s going to be a big help. I think we’ll do just as good next year, if not better.”
As a senior for the Pioneers, Blake finished in third place in the 4A State Championship at Deerfield Country Club in Canton with a score of 69. There were close to 10 schools in the championship.
He won the Carr Haskins Invitational gold meet at Fernwood Country Club with a 73.
Blake earned four top medalist awards this year and had two second-place finishes.
His best score ever was a 66 at the Quail Hollow Golf Course last summer.
Blake said his favorite golf course was the Hattiesburg Country Club where he scored a 70 and finished in second place this past season. Presbyterian Christian School hosted the tournament.
“It just kind of fits me,” he said. “I’ve always played well there and it’s a beautiful place.”
His golf career started when he went to play with his friends one day. He noted he is the only one of those friends who is still playing golf.
“I just kind of enjoyed it,” Blake said. “I was pretty good at it, so I just stuck with it.”
Blake has high hopes for the future.
“I’m ready to get down there, start practicing and start working with Coach Snell and, hopefully, get a lot better the next two years with him,” he said.
Blake does not know what school he will attend after MGCCC, but he does hope to continue his golf career.
“That is a goal, just go two years down there and then, hopefully, go to a senior college for two more years,” he said.
Blake is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Blake of Tylertown.
