UGA's Henley finds success with complete game

“Growing up I’ve always found a way to get it into the hole,” Henley said. “Sometimes I’m not sure how I do it. I just try to keep my head down, play hard and win. Being ranked No. 1 feels great, but I’m trying not to pay attention to the rankings. They’re cool and show where you stand, but it doesn’t mean you aren’t going to make any mistakes. You’ve still got to go out and play hard.”

As a junior golfer, Henley was recruited by former Georgia assistant Ryan Hybl, now the head coach at Oklahoma. When Georgia coach Chris Haack asked for a description of Henley, Hbyl said, “He reminds me of me.” That was good enough for Haack, who had seen Hybl squeeze every ounce of ability out of his game.

“Russell is a lot like Ryan, because he’s not real flashy,” Haack said. “He keeps it in front of him and kind of grinds. He never gives up on anything. When he came in here as a freshman, if you’d told me he was going to turn out to be the player he’s become, I would have done jumping jacks all day.”

Henley’s consistency keeps him in contention, proof being his five career wins. He always seems to be around par and sometimes takes it low, as he did when shooting a 65 to win the Brickyard Invitational in Macon. At the SEC championship, Henley had rounds of 70, 67 and 67 and won in a playoff. He’s the 15th Bulldog to win the conference championship.

Henley came to Georgia with lofty credentials. In 2005, at age 16, he became the youngest player to win the Macon-Middle Georgia Championship and was the youngest Georgian to qualify for the U.S. Open Sectional. He won the Georgia State Golf Association’s Junior Championship in 2006, finished second in the Big I National Tournament and was a member of the 2007 Junior World Cup team. He won the Georgia Amateur in 2008 and 2009 and has set a goal to make the 2012 Walker Cup team.

This week Henley will make his first appearance in a professional event, having earned a sponsor’s exemption to the Nationwide Tour’s Stadion Classic at UGA. Henley and teammate Harris English, who is ranked No. 6 in the nation, earned the two spots set aside for Georgia players with the best stroke average.

“It’s been my goal the whole year,” Henley said. “I’m trying not to think about it, but it’s a big honor to get.”

Henley has played countless practice rounds at the UGA course and feels he can be competitive against the Nationwide Tour’s best players. Henley wants to make the cut and really believes he has a chance to compete and possibly contend, something that wouldn’t surprise Haack.

“If he stays calm and doesn’t let the fact that it’s a professional event effect him and plays his game, I think he’ll do very well,” Haack said. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see [Henley and English] make the cut. I think they’ll do very well.”

The only amateur to win a Nationwide Tour event was BYU’s Daniel Summerhays, who took the 2007 Children’s Hospital Invitational and turned pro the next week. Henley said that no matter what happens this week, he has no desire to leave school early and play for money. He said he’ll be back in Athens for his senior season.

“That’s not going to happen,” Henley said. “I’m going to come back to Georgia in 2011, and I’m going to be here until I graduate. I love being in college and I love being on the golf team.”

Those are comforting words to Haack, who acknowledged the thought has crossed his mind more than once.

“That makes me feel good that he’s enjoying his time here and that he likes being a part of a team and likes playing college golf,” Haack said. “It’s all about putting yourself in a position to win and becoming more confident. Another year in college can certainly help his game.”

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Henley file

Age: 21

Hometown: Macon

Class, school: Junior, Georgia

Highlights: Five career victories is two short of matching school record. ... Second-team All-American as freshman and sophomore. ... One of ten semifinalist for Ben Hogan Award. ... Two-time Georgia Amateur champion (2008, 2009).