Senior Owen Taylor may not be competing this season, but that is not stopping him from getting better as a player and student, while still being involved as a leader off the course for the Hornets.

The Hornets star golfer originally had no intention of red-shirting his final year of college eligibility. But a slow start in the first qualifying round for tournament play along with a strenuous academic schedule lead Taylor and coach Christopher Hall to discuss alternate plans for the season.

“One of my priorities has always been to finish school before I turn professional,” Taylor said. “My focus on academics this year will let me be able to focus on golf next season with a lighter schedule.”

While Hall would prefer to have Taylor traveling, he put what was in his player’s best interest first, and understood that it was necessary for Taylor’s game and academic success to red-shirt the season.

“His game wasn’t to the point where he wanted it to be at when it came in and he might not have seen the scores he wanted to see,” Hall said. “Owen can really put a lot of time into his game in practice.”

Taylor’s performance during the 2013-2014 season was arguably the greatest individual effort for men’s golf in Sac State history. He set the lowest stroke average with 72.23, tied the 54 hole record record for an individual golfer and had 11 top 15 finishes in the 12 tournaments he competed in.

Taylor credits rededicating himself to golf the summer before last season as why he was able to have so much success. He practiced for 12 hours a day at Camera Park Country Club, where working with his swing coach and friends put him in position to have a big year last season.

“I had a pretty big reality check and knew I had to step up my game. I knew I just didn’t want to be another guy in the lineup.” Taylor said. ” I made golf my life and fell in love with the game again.” 

Hall believes it was Taylor’s growth in his mental game last season that put his game on another level.

“He has a really competitive edge, which is especially important in an individual sport to go put the extra work in,” Hall said. “He’s put himself in position now with a really solid golf swing that he can trust. You can do some special things when you trust your golf swing.”

Taylor does not take any of his success for granted, and he takes pride in being able to represent Sac State Athletics with his teammates. He has made it known to his teammates that he will be there to help in anyway he can, especially with the younger guys on the team.

“I like to lead by example, and the guys know that I’m an open door,” Taylor said. “I’m trying to help guide the freshmen and letting them know about all the challenges and expectations that come with golf and school.”

Aaron Beverly, who is in his second season competing for the Hornets, took his cues from Taylor on what it meant to be a collegiate golfer in his first season.

“I really looked up to Owen Taylor,” Beverly said. “Watching what he did and how he practiced was an inspiration for me in my first year.”