Each week during the school year the Naples Daily News selects athletes that stood out the week before based on a combination of coach reports and school nominations sent to sports@naplesnews.com and our coverage. Those athletes are put in a poll each Monday on naplesnews.com and you, our readers, vote on who you think did it best. The winners of the Naples Daily News Athlete of the Week poll sponsored by Elevate Home Service receive a T-shirt provided by BSN Sports and a tote bag provided by USA Today High School Sports Awards. To get to know our winners better, the Naples Daily News will have a question-and-answer session with each athlete weekly.
The Naples Daily News Athlete of the Week sponsored by Elevate Home Services for Aug. 19-24 was Community School of Naples golfer Spence Ives. Ives captured 17,525 votes of the 42,248 cast or 41.44%. To be selected for the poll, he posted scores of 74 and 70 to finish second with a 144 at the Bishop Verot Invitational held at Stoneybrook Aug. 23-24. The junior made the Naples Daily News All-Area First Team last season.
Question: How’d you get into golfing?
Ives: I have been around the game my whole life, but at the end of my freshman year is when I realized I could be good. I played in the FSGA, Junior Am match play event in June, going into my sophomore year. I made it all the way to the semifinals where I lost to the eventual champion. This is when I quit my other sports, and focused only on golf, with the intent of playing in college.
What’s been the highlight of your golfing career?
Ives: So far, the highlight of my career was the First Tee National Championship at Clemson University last June. I shot 71-68-70 (minus-7 total), and finished runner-up. My performance earned me an exemption into the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach. The Pure Insurance Championships is an event where 84 selected juniors from across America get to team up with a senior tour pro. This tournament takes place Sept. 20-22 at Pebble Beach, and it’ll be on the Golf Channel.
What’s some advice you’d give to someone 10 years younger than you?
Ives: My advice for someone 10 years younger than me would be to enjoy the process. You should find something you are passionate about, and work as hard as you can at it. Another thing is to remember that not every day will go smoothly, but you need to be disciplined and motivated to get to where you want to go.
Do you have a superstition when you’re playing?
Ives: A superstition I have on the golf course is I can only have one tee in my pocket at all times, and it has to be white.
Is there a player on tour that you look up to or enjoy watching?
Ives: A player on tour that I idolize is Scottie Scheffler because he is a devoted Christian, as well as a great golfer. Scottie says that the reason he plays golf is to glorify God, and I feel the same way.
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
Here’s the URL to our Athlete of the week page to make a QR code: https://www.naplesnews.com/sports/high-school/athlete-of-the-week/
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Community School golfer Spencer Ives, Aug. 19-24 Naples Daily News Athlete of the Week
