Rowe Learns Valuable Lessons Through Golf

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

(April 28, 2024 7:30 AM ET) High school sports are generally considered a chance for student-athletes to prove his/her worth on a field, course, or court.

Northwest High School athlete Cody Rowe is using the sport of golf to teach life lessons.

Along the way, he may be impressing college scouts for the future.

A year after missing a chance to qualify individually for the Michigan High School Athletic Association state finals by one stroke, Rowe is back for more.

“Golf is being able to come back from a bad shot or a bad round,” Rowe said. “You have to keep a positive attitude in golf.”

Rowe has played golf for more than a dozen years living within a mile of Hankerd Hills Golf Course. He has participated on the Mercer/Jackson Junior Golf Tour for a number of years.

He spends most of his summers playing golf with teammates at Hankerd.

“My friends and I play a lot of golf together throughout the summer,” Rowe said. “Sometimes four or five times per week … other times every day.”

Rowe had a solid season for the Mounties as a freshman and shot a 79 during the regional round at Coldwater.

He missed a playoff by one stroke.

“It was a good year, and I played some good rounds,” Rowe said. “There were a couple of spots where I could play better.”

Rowe said there were a couple of putts during the regional round that could have made a difference.

Northwest missed by four strokes from qualifying for the Division 2 state meet as a team. J.J. Miller qualified individually for the state meet with a 78 at regionals.

“We have a lot of players back and gained a few more who will help,” Rowe said.

The core group plays simulator golf during the winter and Rowe participated in powerlifting to get stronger. Rowe combined – squat, deadlift, and bench – for 765 pounds in powerlifting.

The sophomore also excels in the classroom with a 4.0 grade point average concentrating in STEM classes.

On the golf course the Mounties have battled Harper Creek, Western, and Marshall in the Interstate-8 Conference this season. It has taken scores of 320 or better to win 18-hole jamborees this season.

The sophomore has been medalist in three separate tournaments to start the 2024 season for the Mounties. He has shot rounds of 71, 72, and 76 in those tournaments/jamborees.

Rowe believes the Mounties have the players to make it to the state meet this season.

“We just have to work as a team and pick one another up following a bad round,” Rowe said.

Looks like the lessons on the golf course are playing off for the NWHS sophomore.