SOUTH SURREY - Adam Svensson has started his professional golf career with a bang.
The 21-year-old Earl Marriott Secondary grad, who signed with SportBox Entertainment in March, has won two straight tournaments on the SwingThought.com Tour, taking the top spot in the Killearn CC Classic and also last month's Lake County Classic.
After four rounds at the LCC, Svensson finished 18-under at 270, forcing a playoff where he edged out Toronto's Lucas Kim with a birdy on the first hole to seal the victory.
"I was playing really good the first few rounds - I shot 69, 70," recalled Svensson. "I stayed very patient. I was putting good, I was hitting the ball pretty good, and I shot 66 and 65 in the last two days and won the playoff."
That victory came after a stellar 2014, in which Svensson led his alma mater, Miami's Barry University, to its second consecutive NCAA Division II championship - one of dozens of accomplishments under his belt. He was also named Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year, and prior to that, he received the Phil Mickelson Award recipient for most outstanding freshman.
Those awards sit next to trophies Svensson accumulated from hundreds of tournaments in his youth, from CN Future Links championships to the Little Masters Junior Golf Tour. He said he's always had the spirit of competition, and golf seemed like his calling.
"I've always really loved the game," he said. "I just wanted to compete and loved the feeling of winning. I really enjoy it and have a lot of fun."
For all his success on the green, he credits his father, Frank, for teaching him to golf when he was three years old.
"He used to be a scratch golfer, so he knew a lot about the game. My dad, being there every single day and helping me out and guiding me on the right path, I believe that's helped me out tremendously."
Svensson wrapped up his time at Barry with nine wins in 14 collegiate starts. His outstanding performance prompted him to finally consider going pro - a decision that came as no surprise to his father.
"He knew that I really wanted to turn pro. He was very supportive and extremely happy for me," said Svensson.
"Winning those last two events, I felt like my game was there," he added. "I played in the Canadian Open two years in a row and I've played in many pro events growing up, and I felt my game was ready.
Svensson called it a "family decision," noting he took input from his parents and his coach, Rob Houlding, before signing with SportBox.
"I just felt that I was ready," he said. "I just stuck with my gut."
Down the road, Svensson has his eyes set on the PGA Tour Canada, but his current focus is the Web.com Tour, a developmental tour to qualify for the U.S.-based PGA Tour. His latest victory on the SwingThought Tour earned him an exemption into Web.com's News Sentinel Open in August.
"Obviously, my main goal is to be on the PGA Tour, but my short term goal is to be on the Web.com by next year," he said.
"It'll be a long haul, but I'm definitely up for it."
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