West Mesa golfer is ready contend for title

Posted by Quentin Jodie | May 7, 2015 | Golf |

WINDOW ROCK

West Mesa senior Grant Shorty (left) enters the New Mexico Class 6A state golf tournament as a person to watch after winning the District 5-6A title last month. Shorty is hoping to improve on his 16th place finish last season. He is pictured here with Notah Begay II. (Courtesy photo)

With eight qualifying legs, West Mesa senior Grant Shorty is definitely on the watch list at this year’s New Mexico Class 6A state golf championship.

Shorty is the only golfer going to state for the Albuquerque school.

The tournament is scheduled for May 11-12 at the Pinon Hills Golf Course in Farmington.

“I feel like I am playing a lot better,” said Shorty, who placed 16th overall at last year’s state championship.

Shorty, who admitted that he was not satisfied with his placement last season, said he’s improved on his short game, particularly his chipping and putting.

That aspect of his game was one of the biggest hurdles he had to overcome, says his coach Bob May.

“We focused on that a lot more in practice,” said May. “We focused on putting and chipping from 100 yards out, instead of practicing on full shots and drive swings.”

And while he’s fairly proficient with his long game, May said the short game is where your scoring becomes more efficient.

With an improved short game, Shorty has turned a few heads as he recently claimed the District 5-6A individual title before placing second at the Albuquerque Metro Championship.

“I lost the title by two strokes,” Shorty said of the APS tournament.

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