JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR Matthew Davis ORGET IDEAL COURSE CON-DITIONS or new equipment. A positive attitude is a must for Matthew Davis. His father Bill continually emphasizes its im-portance. Jay Wright, a role model and Villanova University’s men’s basketball coach, preaches it among his players. Matthew’s brother Michael, a Princeton University senior and the 2015 BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship runner-up, demonstrates it on the golf course. Attitude surrounds Matthew. He favors the positive variety, which yielded positive returns in 2017. Davis is the Golf Association of Philadel-phia’s 2017 Junior Sportsperson of the Year. “It feels great to win this award,” Davis, 18, of Newtown Square, Pa., said. “I credit my dad and my brother for helping me with golf and telling me how to carry myself on the course. Attitude is a big word that my dad uses a lot. I try to keep a good attitude no matter how I’m playing.” The record shows that Davis, an Aronimink Golf Club member, played fairly well in 2017. He tied for fifth in the Christman Cup presented by GlobalGolfPost at Stonewall (North). A day af-ter missing the U.S. Junior Amateur qualifying cut by a mere stroke, Davis competed in his first BMW Philadelphia Amateur at Philadelphia Cricket Club — an experience he cherished F among the region’s best. But the results seem secondary; Davis speaks proudly about his mental growth, citing it as factor in his receipt of the Junior Sportsper-son of the Year honor. “[My golf coach Brian Quinn] always says, ‘One shot at a time,’” Davis, a senior at Malvern Prep, said. “You can’t think too far ahead of your-self or things will start going poorly. Hit the shot that you know you can hit, not the shot you think you can hit. I’ve learned that once you get down on yourself and quit, it’s tough to come back. If you already in your head think you’re not hitting it well and aren’t going to play well, that’s where you have problems.” A first glance at Davis says imposing. He is 6 feet 3 inches tall with a golf swing that screams power. A handshake and smile later says wel-coming. Expect friendliness, a few jokes and a competitive fire — positive attitude included — if you’re paired with the soft-spoken youngster. “That’s usually what I think about: to be a good person on the course, to be someone people like to play golf with,” Davis said. “Whether it’s with a firm handshake to a fellow competitor after the round is complete or a meaningful ‘thank you’ to a GAP staff member or volunteer, the Association is always aware that Matthew Davis has conducted himself ‘‘ Aronimink Golf Club That’s what I think about: to be someone people like to play golf with.” properly during a competition,” Tournament Director Chris Roselle added. As mentioned, family is at the core of Davis’ conduct. It’s Bill and Michael who, coinciden-tally, encouraged Matthew to increase his involvement in golf. An avid sports junkie, Matthew dabbled in basketball and football throughout his childhood. Golf gained his full attention toward the end of his time at St. Aloysius Academy. “I thought I could try to get really good at golf. I thought it was my best option,” he said. “Once I decided that, I started playing every day. My dad and brother helped me a lot.” Family influence spreads to academia, too. Upon graduation, Matthew will attend Villanova, alma matter of parents Bill and Debra, where he plans to major in business. The Davis family is admittedly wild for the Wildcats. They are men’s basketball season ticketholders; Wright is a good friend. Just so happens that Wright published his first book, “Attitude: Develop a Winning Mindset on and Off the Court,” earlier this year. “I haven’t had a chance to read the book yet but my mom has. She said it was great,” Mat-thew said. “I’m sure I will definitely read it at some point.” – Tony Regina www.gapgolf.org 41
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