For as long as he can remember, Laurel senior Royce Taylor has had a golf club in his hands. It was around middle school when he began taking it seriously, realizing he had some real talent.
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"As soon as I could walk I had little plastic clubs. My mom played college golf, so I got it from her," Taylor said. "I'd say going into middle school. We were both shooting around 80s, 90s and I think I got her one day and ever since that I don't think she's beat me since."
Taylor has turned into one of the more accomplished high school golfers in the area, but there's one thing missing from his resume - a Class A state title. His current form should have him in contention at this weekend's Class A state tournament.
"It's majority just that summer time and that month we get in the fall. Try to take as much as you can in the summer. In the winter it's just simulator or if you want to go south and play those courses, but it's a grind for those five months. Just try to get as much golf in as you can, because then you have to take up to weeks off of golf and try to get it back, so it's hard.
"I've been top 10 every year, so that's solid, but I think this year we're going to shoot for top three and we win that's awesome. I think I have one of the best chances to win this year," Taylor said.
As for this weekend's state tournament in Shelby, Taylor might have a slight edge over the competition.
"It almost feels like a home course. My uncle used to be the old pro up there. I kind of like it up there. It's kind of like my second-favorite course," Taylor said. "There's a tournament up there called the Oil Field, and I'd go and play in that with my grandparents and family a lot."
Taylor takes aim at the Class A golf crown at Marias Valley in Shelby on Friday at Saturday.
