A quiet afternoon on the University of Georgia golf course is interrupted by a loud “hum.” As the noise grew closer, everyone on the practice putting green turned to see a lanky redhead park his motorcycle, sling off his helmet and stride confidently into the clubhouse.
It was Lee McCoy, the third-ranked amateur golfer in the world, who won his first SEC individual title in April and was named SEC player of the year in May. He’s aiming to add an NCAA title before he turns pro in June.
The NCAA championships are Friday through Tuesday in Eugene, Ore.
Finally, with his temper in check, McCoy has a chance to blossom on golf’s grandest stages.
“That was what was holding me back for a long time,” McCoy said.
The challenge of maintaining control of his emotions has passed with the help of Georgia coach Chris Haack, according to McCoy. Haack simply watched PGA events with McCoy and showed him that the “big guys” on tour are not phased by one poor shot.
“Golf is my life, there’s not a whole lot I do outside of it,” McCoy said. “The challenge of overcoming my emotions on the golf course was probably the biggest challenge that I’ve faced.
“I wouldn’t say I’m totally on the other side of it, but there’s massive signs of improvement.”
McCoy didn’t always display such confidence and strident swagger.
“He was super quiet when he came into Georgia,” former teammate Nicholas Reach said. “It was kind of hard to get a good read on him.”
Soon enough, his teammates and coaches came to understand McCoy, lovingly nicknaming him “The Shermanator” or “Sherm,” based on the infamous character from the “American Pie” movie. McCoy’s similar looks and gait are the reason for the attribution.
McCoy’s SEC win tied him with current PGA Tour member Chris Kirk for seven individual collegiate titles while at UGA. McCoy and Kirk are in second place on UGA’s all-time list, behind Russell Henley, who won eight titles during his college career.
McCoy’s parents, Terry and Cheryl, recognized their son’s passion for golf as early as 18 months old. McCoy would wail and throw a tantrum when they changed the TV channel from golf.
“It was weird,” Lee’s father, Terry McCoy, said. “He would say ‘golf.’” Until his parents changed the channel back.
McCoy’s parents bought him a pair of plastic clubs from a toy store. His mom would take him in the front yard of their Pennsylvania Dutch-style home nestled in the woods of Dunedin, Fla., where young McCoy would hit the ball for hours.
At age 3, McCoy had his first golf lesson on the Dunedin Stirling Links par-3 course with his long-time coach Paul Sylvester. He shot a four on his first hole. Three years later, McCoy would win the first-ever U.S. Kids Golf world championship in the 6-and-under division at Jekyll Island.
“I would always tell Terry, ‘You’re going to need to add a room addition to your house.’ He had more trophies that he didn’t have a place to put them,” Sylvester said, who signs off all correspondence with McCoy with “The PGA Tour is next.”
McCoy is set to turn pro June 5. While he had the talent to join the PGA Tour last summer, his skill and drive comes with an unpredictable temper that compelled him to play another year at the collegiate level.
“He had the physical tools, but he needed to work on the mental side of things,” Haack said. “I’ve actually walked with him on the golf course during a round where he imploded.”
His teammates joke about his lack of control on the golf course. He snapped a wedge in half at a tournament in Las Vegas. In a recent practice they saw him digging through the bushes lining the UGA course to retrieve a driver he’d tossed in anger.
“He’s a good redhead Irish boy,” Terry McCoy said. “(His temper) comes with the territory.”
In March, McCoy competed as an amateur in the Valspar Championship. McCoy not only played with the top names in golf, but he beat out then-No. 1 Jordan Spieth, finishing the weekend tied for fourth overall.
“Having good distance control, hitting the same shot and hitting it low was great,” McCoy said. “I took that to the PGA Tour and had no success.”
Lee was forced to quickly adapt his style of play. The PGA Tour came with higher quality courses, faster greens and more ideal weather conditions.
“I hit the ball a lot higher and further now than I used to,” McCoy said. “I have a lot more shots. That’s what you need to win on the PGA Tour.
“It may help me at NCAA’s. It’ll be a little bit more of a tour caliber golf course.”
With his temper in line, McCoy has one last goal before he turns pro; for his team to win a national championship. Haack said he’s going for the “double dip,” winning both the SEC championship and the NCAA championship, a feat the Georgia program has never achieved.
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