South golfer Gore signs with Mount Olive

 BOILING SPRING LAKES—Dalton Gore signed a letter of intent May 27 to attend Mount Olive College, where he intends to continue his golf career.

Michael Paul

South Brunswick High School senior golfer Dalton Gore has accepted a scholarship offer from Mount Olive College. To his left is South coach Gene Doane. To Gore’s right is mom Sharon and sister Molly. In the back, from left, are Al Arrigoni and Walt Stachura of The First Tee of Brunswick County.

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“He is the greatest golfer I have ever coached,” said South Brunswick golf coach Gene Doane. “But more than that, he is the best person that I have coached. You don’t get one like this very often.”

Doane said Gore had about 20 offers from colleges, but Mount Olive “was the one college where he basically has a full ride. It’s all taken care of.”

 “My career goal is to work in the golf industry,” Gore wrote in his resume. “I plan to graduate with a degree in professional golf management or turf management, secure a job with strong career opportunities, continue to enjoy playing golf, have lasting friendships with the people I meet in college and have fond memories of my college experience.”

Gore, whose USGA handicap is 1.8, finished his high school career as medalist of the Waccamaw Conference with a 73.1 average, five strokes ahead of the nearest competitor.

He has been an active participant in The First Tee of Brunswick County since the chapter began January 2006. He has assisted The First Tee coaches with teaching new members golf mechanics and etiquette. He has participated in the The First Tee of Brunswick County Summer Leadership Academy and in the Nick Bradley School.

Gore said being a member of The First Tee of Brunswick County “has given me the opportunity to learn life skills as well as golf skills. These life skills have become a part of my daily life.”

The golf skills, he said, better enable him to play golf under pressure. The life skills, he explained, better enable him “to work with others to reach a common goal, provide leadership and use and use a ‘go to team’ approach to solve problems.

Gore’s golf skills were tested his freshman year.

“Due to the injuries of two upper class teammates,” he wrote, “I was given the opportunity to play as a freshman. The majority of team members were seniors, and I had to prove to them that I could play. Not only did I carry my weight that year, I made long- lasting friendships.”

Gore finished third that year in the conference tournament.

As a sophomore, he won the conference tournament, finished second in the regional and was seventh in the state tournament.

Most notably, Gore played in the Walmart First Tee Open Champion’s Tour event in 2008 and 2009.

“I am proud of the fact that I earned my way to participate in The Walmart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach in 2008 and 2009,” he wrote. “The selection process for this tournament was not based on golf skill alone.”

Gore also has been an active competitor in the Eastern Junior Golf Association.

“The Eastern Junior Golf Association is located in the central part of North Carolina,” he explained in his resume. “Tournament entry fees were reasonably priced and I was often able to stay with friends so that my travel expenses were reduced. These events afforded me competitive playing experience against some of the top ranked juniors in North Carolina. It allowed me to play on many of the world famous golf courses found in the Pinehurst region of North Carolina.”

In one such tournament, the 41st annual George Holliday Golf Tournament in November 2009 at Myrtle Beach National Golf Club, Gore finished 54 holes tied for eighth out of 75 golfers.

Gore has been a member of South Brunswick High School Spanish Club for three years. He has assisted with the Special Olympics and participated in the Relay for Life. He has been an assistant coach for two years at the Oak Island Parks and Recreation Summer golf camps. Getting a head start on his career goals, last summer Gore was part of the golf course maintenance staff at St. James Plantation.

Before he concentrated on golf, Gore played youth baseball until he was 12. He also is an avid freshwater and saltwater fisherman.

For golfers, golf is a never-ending process game of analysis and improvement, and Gore is no different.

“I would say that my greatest strengths are hitting my driver and course management. I have learned how to adjust my mental game so that I can recover from a bad shot. Putting is my weakest skill at this time.”

“I think he will have a great career if he keeps working at it,” Doane said. “I really believe if he wants it bad enough, you will see him on the pro tour.”

Gore is determined to reach his goals.

“Golf has been a part of my life for a long time, and I love the game,” he said. “I established my life goals and a plan to achieve them several years ago, and nothing has stopped me so far.  There are many people in my home community who believe in me and I do not want to let them down.”