Senior Seokwon Jeon works his way onto Utah State golf team

A young boy from South Korea moved all the way to Salt Lake City with his family when he was 8 years old. Not knowing the language, the people or the culture, he picked up a golf club and started to make a name for himself in his new home.

Seokwon Jeon finished up his last season playing golf for Utah State University this year and will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

“I’m excited but I’m going to miss it,” Jeon said. “Golf is an individual sport and the only time there is a team aspect is at the high school and college level and it will be my last time I’m doing that so it will be something I miss for sure.”

Jeon’s father, a golfer himself, introduced him to the game in seventh grade and is supportive of his continued success along with the rest of his family.

Before Jeon was old enough to work at a golf course, him and a friend would volunteer their time planting flowers and running around picking up range balls at River Oaks Golf Course in Sandy, Utah in exchange for a free week of practice time on the course.

Jeon met his childhood golf buddy, Kenny You, in high school. Jeon played for Hillcrest High School and You played for Alta High School. The two pushed each other to be better golfers but maintained a friendship in the process.

“I had someone to enjoy the eight hours with,” Jeon said. “It made it more fun than work.”

You plays golf for Dixie State University and also just finished up his last season on the team this year.

“He helped me work harder because he was always working hard,” You said. “The competition was helpful.”

Growing up, Jeon’s golf idol was Tiger Woods because he was the one dominating the game when Jeon started playing. He said he would watch videos of Tiger Woods to study his technique and compare his own technique to one of the greats.

When he was finally 16 and able to work, Jeon got a job washing and preparing the golf carts at River Oaks. Along with employment came free use of the course.

“I was never a member at a country club so I always worked for the golf I got to play,” Jeon said.

He believes this is what contributes to the hard work and dedication he displays throughout every season.

Mitch Stone, the head pro and director of golf at River Oaks, has watched Jeon perfect his craft since he was a young man.

“His work ethic is just crazy,” Stone said.

Stone remembers Jeon’s father dropping him off at River Oaks in a gold van almost every day so Jeon could practice putting or hit range balls for 8-10 hours. After Jeon got his driver’s license Stone said he would come to the course every day after school and on the weekends to practice and play. Stone said when he finally had time off work to play a game he would ask Jeon to join him but if it was his practice day Jeon would tell him no.

“He would never break his routine,” Stone said. “He’s very driven.”

After finishing second at the state championship his senior year in high school, Jeon joined the Aggies, where he set records, received academic honors and reformed the golf program.

“His skills coming in as a freshman put him as probably one of the best players in our conference right out of the gate,” said USU’s golf coach Dean Johansen.

Johansen compared Jeon to Kobe as far as coming in to the program as a young player but fitting right in and claiming superiority “right off the bat.”

When it comes to Jeon’s golf game Johansen said he’s a phenomenal ball striker, has great short game and pays attention to detail when he plays.

“He’s the hardest worker we’ve ever had,” Johansen said. “His teammates see how hard he works and that makes them want to work more. He’s always trying and willing to help anybody that needs it.”

Jeon said his favorite moment of his senior year at USU was winning the OGIO Utah Invitational at Jeremy Ranch Golf & Country Club in Park City, Utah in October 2015.

He continued to impress with three tournament titles, won the Salt Lake City Amateur, qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship in Illinois and has earned academic all Mountain West honors three years in a row.

Aside from his talent and work ethic, Jeon is known to be a real stand-up guy and quite the comedian.

“He’s a nice kid and he’s really good with people,” Stone said. “He’s very respectful because his parents taught him like that.”

Johansen said Jeon is a little “reserved” until you get to know him. He gets the team and his coaches laughing the whole time on their road trips, said Johansen.

“He’s really quiet but really, really funny,” Stone said.

Jeon said he comes off shy because he doesn’t want to offend anyone with his jokes but once he knows they can handle his humor he will get their bellies rolling.

Jeon said he would like to try and pursue a career in professional golf for three to four years after he graduates.

“I’m going to take it day by day and see what happens,” Jeon said. “Might as well try when I’m young.”

If golf doesn’t work out, Jeon said he wants to work for the government and get into urban planning.

“I think he has a future in golf,” Stone said. “I think he will make it. He has what it takes. Whatever it is, he has it.”

Johansen said it’s going to be hard to see Jeon leave this year.

“He’s been the solid middle man and a core figure for our team for four years and it’s hard to loose that,” Johansen said. “I hate to see him go but I’m excited for his future. I think he’s going to do great things.”

Jeon said he is excited to move on to the next chapter in his life.

“It was fun,” Jeon said looking back on his four years playing for USU. “We had our highs and lows but I feel like we’re ending on a good note.”

Jeon will spend this summer working and playing at River Oaks Golf Course. He said he plans to come back to Logan and watch his old team compete this fall.

— biancapahl15@gmail.com

Twitter: @BiancaAdrianna1