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Gaige Lewis is on the fast track to success for Kickapoo golf.
After joining the team just last season, he’s already won three tournaments in two years, including the 2022 MSU Relays.
As a kid, Gaige had big dreams.
“I wanted to be a Major League Baseball player of course. A center fielder for the Cardinals or second baseman,” the Kickapoo junior said.
Of course, those dreams being in baseball his number one sport.
That is until COVID-19 canceled his freshman baseball season, and he spent more time on the links.
“Me and my friends would just go out there every single day and just play 27 holes, 36 holes and I just fell in love with it. It was so fun,” said Lewis.
Gaige quit baseball and committed all of his time to golf, and Ron Yocum saw potential immediately.
“He has a gift as far as clubhead speed. I’ve been around a lot of good players, and he’s got the ‘it’ factor as far as distance,” said Kickapoo golf coach Ron Yocum.
Gaige hits bombs off the tea box. In fact, he hits it so far that he’s won a national long drive contest.
“I think there were 110 kids maybe and you hit 3 balls and you took your longest one,” Lewis said.
Gaige drove the ball 311 yards. His long game is what he’s known for, but to be great he’s had to perfect his presence around the green.
“The short game is the key it doesn’t matter how far you can hit it,” Yocum said.
He’s also worked on being calm in the big moments.
“Smelling the roses and blowing out the candles and when I’m walking down the fairway, I take a deep breath and it gives me a sense of calmness,” said Lewis.
A good driver, a solid short game, and a calm mind are all key ingredients to Gaige’s success.
