GAP Magazine • 2008 Winter • Page 13

GOLF ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA Happy-go-lucky manner helps Rosenberg earn Junior Sportsmanship accolade “I just want to go out there and have fun.” While some may use that statement as a mantra for many things in life, for Jack Rosenberg, the 2008 Junior Sportsmanship Award win-ner, it’s exactly the attitude he takes to the course, day in and day out. Combined with his attitude, it is also his unbridled respect for his fellow competitors, the game and himself that only solidified the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s decision to name him as the third recipient of the sportsman award in the accolade’s history. “To be honest, you go out there and play for your pride and how you conduct yourself as a person,” said Rosenberg, a mature 16, of Devon, Pa. “It’ not like we are going out there to play for money. I just want to go out there and have fun.” “It’s easy to see why we chose Jack for this award,” said Mark Peterson, Executive Director for the GAP. “His attitude on and off the course remains the same no matter how he’s playing or finished in a tournament. And that is something special that does not go unnoticed.” Instilled in him by his parent’s at an early age, Rosenberg admits that although his upbringing set forth the example of how he should act, it has been his friends that help cement that image. “I think the biggest influence for me is my friends,” said the Haverford School golfer. “Every one of them are great kids and we play almost everyday, have fun and a good time.” But don’t let his kindhearted, respectful demeanor fool you. Rosenberg is a competitor who never loses site of what’s important. “I obviously go out there and try to win, but that’s not what it’s all about,” said Rosenberg, who managed to make it into the Championship Flight of the 2008 Junior Boys’ Championship. “How you play and how you conduct yourself during that time is a good rep-resentation of your character. “I think that [this award] means the image of myself that I try to convey is definitely coming off in the right way.” Gian Rodriguez is the former Media Relations Manager for the Golf Association of Philadelphia.