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Strafaci Reaches A Mountain Top

Even in an individual sport such as golf, achieving success is actually never a solo accomplishment. There are some much-needed people around to help you in some degree to achieve that success.

Tyler Strafaci knows that so very well, as he recently put together a history-making string of amateur victories.

On July 4, he won the hugely prestigious North & South Championship on the famed Pinehurst No. 2 course in North Carolina. A week later, he won the Palmetto Amateur in Aiken, S.C.

On Aug. 16 he added the championship every top-notch amateur covets, the U.S. Amateur. Strafaci captured that at Bandon Dunes Golf Club in Oregon, with the Pacific Ocean as a spectacular backdrop.

Strafaci, who turned 22 on July 23, made each and every golf swing to win those titles, but there were people in mind, spirit and body who walked the fairways with him.

Tyler Strafaci with his father, Frank Strafaci Jr., who caddied for him at both the North & South Amateur and the U.S. Amateur.

It takes a village … and here’s what some of the villagers had to say:

Frank Strafaci Jr., Tyler’s father, who carried his son’s bag in both the North & South and U.S. Amateur. At the end of the U.S. Amateur, Frank Jr. said, “I’m a pretty emotional person so I worked really hard to try and hold it in or I would have completely lost it and probably made a fool out of myself on the green. Everything is like in a dream-like stage right now. We, as a family, we understand what this means.”

Todd Anderson, Strafaci’s teaching pro since ninth grade, said, “He’s a great kid. Obviously, he’s one of those kids that’s special and that’s very focused, very process-minded, very goal-driven.”

Bruce Heppler, who has coached Strafaci at Georgia Tech the past four years and made a quickly booked 9½-hour flight from Atlanta to Portland, arriving at 3:30 in the morning, to see his student-athlete compete in and win in the final round. Tyler Strafaci was more than ecstatic to see his college coach unexpectedly show up. “That just shows what kind of a person he is,” Tyler said. “I don’t know if I would have won if he wasn’t here. I’ll be forever thankful to him for coming and showing his support and being a badass out there.”

Brandt Moser, who has been one of the biggest influences on Strafaci over many years, having coached him since he was a sixth-grader at Plantation American Heritage Academy in Broward County.

Moser, 59, gives himself little credit for honing Tyler’s golf swing. In fact, he readily admits with a smile, “I’m a better fisherman than golfer.”

However, Moser certainly is confident that he has had a strong influence on Strafaci and his golf – more as a mind and life coach. To put it in movie terms, Moser is a Mr. Miyagi from Karate Kid (“It’s okay to lose to an opponent. It’s never okay to lose to fear,”) or Yoda from Star Wars (“Do … or do not. There is no try.”).

Tyler Strafaci at the 2020 U.S. Amateur at Bandon Dunes

In fact, after winning the U.S. Amateur, Strafaci described Moser as “… like a second father in my life. He knew that perfect balance between putting his arm around you and encouraging you. But he also had the ability to show some tough love at times when maybe I needed a good boot in the rear.”

Over some 25 years, Moser has taught golf so successfully at American Heritage that his individual players and teams have won state championship after state championship.

Summing up his philosophy, Moser said, “When you are coaching, you just want to make your team better – week to week, year to year. I like winning, but I am more motivated by losing. I hate losing.”

His impression of Tyler Strafaci?

“When you know his lineage and his work ethic, you know he will be successful,” Moser said of Strafaci, who grew up in a family that started playing golf at an early age. That would include Strafaci using a Snoopy golf club when he was 3 years old.

“Tyler has prepared a long time in his mind to be successful at golf, but he is only halfway up the hill,” Moser said.

“I guarantee you he’s dreaming bigger. His internal determination is remarkable.

“Also, what people don’t know about Tyler is that he’s an amazing kid off the course.”

The importance of Strafaci winning the U.S. Amateur can quickly be summed up. Previous winners include Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods and Bobby Jones, and that’s pretty good company. And as the U.S. Amateur winner, Strafaci receives a berth in the following year’s U.S. Open and will be considered for an invitation to The Masters.

For Strafaci, the entire week at the U.S. Amateur was filled with drama – and pressure — as he won his final four matches 1-up.

Sunday’s final day incorporated two rounds and the match came down to the final hole. Ollie Osborne of Southern Methodist University birdied the 16th and 17th holes to pull even heading into No. 18.

Following his drive on the par-5 18th, Strafaci had 246 yards left to the green. Tyler and his caddying Dad agreed on a 4-iron and Tyler hit it perfectly, some 18 feet from the cup. “It was so pure,” Strafaci said. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to hit a 4-iron that good. Honestly, it was the best 4-iron I’ve ever hit.”

Tyler missed his eagle putt, leaving it inside a foot from the cup, and Osborne conceded a birdie to him. Osborne then was unable to make birdie himself, which meant two things.

Match over.

History made.

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