Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Golfer To Tour Scottish Links

by Caroline Spaeth

Los Alamos Monitor

Imagine yourself a golfer. You're a good golfer. You love the sport.

Now imagine one day out of the blue a letter comes inviting you, yes, you to the world's most famous golf courses.

That's what happened to Jerrod Rowlinson one day about a month ago. Rowlison, a senior high school student and an all-star, state-title golfer, plays for the Los Almos High School golf team in Los Alamos, N.M.

Because of his "outstanding scores in competition for the school team," his letter read, Rowlison was selected with 44 others to play with the American Golf Ambassadors this summer on the 1996 International Tour through Scotland. The invitation is offered "only to outstanding high school age golfers in the United States," the letter said.

The letter did not surprise Rowlinson's coach.

"He's probably one of the top players in the state, said Eddie Sanchez, head coach for the LAHS golf team. "It's a good honor and going to be great experience for him. He's a senior so it will be a good experience when he goes to college.

The letter did, however, surprise the young golfer himself.

"I had never heard of it before," Rowlison said of the American Golf Ambassadors, which is a part of an organization called The Youth of America, Inc. and is based in New Bedford, Mass.

"I just got a letter at school one day. I was really excited, but I was kind of overwhelmed by the price. But that's the game I love" said the high school gold team captain.

The two-week dream trip does have its price, $3995, which Rowlison must come up with on his own.

In short, the trip is "just basically 14 days of playing golf," said Rowlison. Oh, yes, and it's on "some of the finest golf courses in the world," he added.

The price of the trip includes a roundtrip ticket to Glasgow, Scotland, motor coach rides to seven Scottish golf courses, hotel rooms, most meals, all green fees, sightseeing and shopping tours, an official golf shirt, rain jacket and golf towel -- all with the Ambassadors logo -- and, of course, lots of golf balls. Rowlison will fly out on July 7 and stay through July 21.

To pay for the trip, Rowlison has come up with a few donations from the family, but in addition to that, "nothing significant yet," he said.

Luckily, something has just come through. A Los Almos artis, Keith Kelley, who's art is known internationally, has donated a Southwest painting to auction off and raise money for Rowlison's trip. Kelley's ground marble and oil paintings have been featured in galleries in such cities as Moscow, Pretoria and South Africa.

Rowlison is working on other fundraising ideas, some involving golf, of course.

Meanwhile, Rowlison is starting up another golf season. He has been practicing with this team throughout the winter in Albuquerque, and the team can already be seen in the early morning hours at the Los Alamos Golf Course.

Rowlison ought to have a comfortable season, both knowing he's on his way to famous golf courses and having already qualified for the New Mexico AAA state competition at the end of the spring season. He qualified for state back in September with a score of 75, beating out last year's AAA state champion with the score.

It's no surprise really. Rowlison has been setting course records for some time now in addition to playing in the all star state tournament last year. Now, with the trip, he will find there's more and more chances to break courses records.

The auction for Kelley's painting will take place on July 4 at the Los Alamos Municipal Golf Course. Tickets are on sale now.

Rowlison is the great grandson of Ruby Eastridge, a lifelong resident of Gurdon. He is the grandon of Dorothy Eastridge Elliott, who was born and raised in Gurdon.