Former Sheridan High School golf standout qualifies
for U.S. Amateur tournament

BY AARON ATKINS
THE SHERIDAN PRESS

Taylor ReedJACKSON — For many, golf is a lifetime hobby that starts young and sticks as a means to stay active and social. For Sheridan High School graduate Taylor Reed, it's a means to help pay for college and a chance to tee off with the best amateur golfers in the country. After spending his first year of college playing golf for North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Reed honed his skills, took a chance and qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship at the world-renowned Cherry Hill Country Club in Denver Aug. 13- 19.

Reed, son of Sheridan residents Steve and Carol Reed, won the 2012 U.S. Amateur Championship Qualifier on July 30 at Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis Club, shooting a 72—72—144 and earning a win that came down to the final putt. "After the first day I was down by two strokes to Icem Brewer," Reed said. "I was behind 72-70, then I shot a 72 again the next round to win. I made a 20-foot putt on the last hole to win the tournament by one stroke."

For Reed, that one putt was the difference between enjoying a round of golf in Jackson Hole and earning a berth in a tournament that has showcased the nation's top amateur golf talent for over 100 years. Reed had never attempted a qualifying tournament before, due to either time constraints or location concerns, and he managed to come away with the win.

I was alway working in high school and never had the time because of work or couldn't get to the town where a qualifier was being played," Reed said. "For this being the first time I've tried, I feel very lucky and fortunate to make it. This is definitely a life-changing experience for me."

While Reed was all alone at the top of the field of players, he was not alone on the links. Fellow SHS graduate Taylor Spiegelberg served as Reed's caddy, offering advice, carrying clubs and serving as moral support throughout the tournament

"Taylor helped keep my nerves under wraps," Reed pointed out. "It was nice knowing a friend and fellow ex-high school golfer with me as my caddy. He helped keep things even. I didn't really think about winning at all until the last few holes when he told me we were in a position to win. That's when it became serious."

Reed said after his 20- foot putt on the 18th green, he and Spiegelberg realized they were all alone on the leaderboard.

"That's when I finally figured out I'd be the leader in the clubhouse," Reed said. "An hour after that the scores came in and I knew I was going to win and get one of the (two qualifying) spots."

Reed said although being a part of the most dominant golf team in Sheridan High School history, helping build a tournament win streak of over 30 consecutive team wins over a two-year period and winning state titles for the Broncs in 2008 and 2010, playing in college tournaments at North Idaho helped push his game to a new level.

"College golf was a definite growing experience," Reed said. "It took me a while to get on my feet, but I think I have a strong grasp of things now. Playing in college tournaments greatly helped me prep for this." According to Reed, his North Idaho team finished first at the junior college national tournament.

"The team did really records at the college and the pace of the tournaments and level of opponents helped build my game to this point."

Reed and Spiegelberg weren't the only former Broncs to attempt to qualify — SHS graduate and current Tyler Junior College of Tyler, Texas, golfer Cameron Lindell also attempted the qualifier.

Lindell finished in a three-way tie for fourth place, shooting a 75-77— 152. While not earning a qualifying spot, Lindell is listed as the second alternate for the U.S. Amateur tournament.

Lindell's Tyler College team took second at the junior college nationals, and Lindell earned freshman junior college division second team All- American status.

"Having Cameron out there was great," Reed said. "It's great for us to be recognized for something related to golf out of high school. A lot of us get overlooked as individuals because of all the great players that come out of Sheridan — it's a good feeling knowing we're good enough to be on top like this."