Tucker Miller is an Extremely Aggressive Player
When a high school golf preview was published recently in his local newspaper, Western Branch junior Tucker Miller was a little more than disappointed with the paper's projection of his team finishing sixth in the Southeastern District. “I'd say the rankings with us at six are terrible,” he answers honestly. “I think we're in the top three.”
Miller does not typically try to hide his feelings or opinions but somehow manages to not come across as brash or arrogant. There is a confidence and determination in his voice because he truly believes in himself and his teammates.
He knows that he and his golf team struggled in 2005 (they finished fourth in the district and did not qualify for Regionals) and that the paper's projections are only indicative of last season's results. “They took it all from last year,” he says, “But we have four or five consistent guys that are shooting in the 70's now so we're going to be good.”
He tries to bring his brand of confidence to all aspects of his life. “I'm real competitive in everything I do,” he says, “I thrive on competition.” He is also on the school's wrestling team.
His golf coach, Karl Quinn, appreciates the attitude that Miller brings to the team. “Tucker is an extremely aggressive player,” Quinn says, “He has never seen a lie he didn't think he could play.” The coach also values the leadership that Miller provides. “He has a knack for keeping others motivated,” he says. Quinn will look to Miller and Jay Horton to lead the team both by their character and by their play.
Miller likes to think that he brings a fun and relaxed atmosphere to the squad. “If someone has a bad shot in practice, I tell them it's just a game,” he says.
In addition to keeping his scores low, Miller says that he is consistently driving the ball anywhere from 280 to 310 yards off of the tee. He recognizes that he has some room to grow as a golfer though. “I've got to stop pushing my irons,” he says, “I'm hitting them pure but I'm hitting them right.”
He credits his coaches Quinn and Grant Parker with helping him improve over the past few seasons but also appreciates the input and encouragement of someone else in his life. “My dad got me into golf,” Miller says, “He drives me in all of my sports.”
Though only a junior, Miller has already begun thinking about life after high school. He'd like to play golf at the collegiate level at either Old Dominion University or James Madison University after he graduates from Western Branch.
For now he's focused on the present. And other than just proving the skeptics wrong, Miller has lofty goals for the Bruins golf team in 2006. “I want to get the team into Regionals and States,” he says. And he knows what it will take to do it. “Practice and hard work.”
