Palomar golfer shines after settling into campus life

By: MICHAEL KLITZING - Staff Writer | Sunday, March 27, 2005 10:21 PM PST ∞

In his third year at Palomar College, golfer John Gray finally has found his game ---- but only after finding himself.

On the course, this is a banner year for Gray. Emerging as one of the top linksmen in the Orange Empire Conference, he started off the season by carding scores of 64, 66 and 67. And he has averaged scores in the low 70s since.

"This year, it's not much different than anything I've ever done," Gray said. "I think I've gotten used to being in school, so it's not as big a change now. At first, it was kind of tough to balance it. But my game has come together at the same time."

Gray's adjustment to college life differed from the typical Palomar student. The Vista resident was home-schooled from kindergarten through the 12th grade.

At a time when other kids his age were learning the finer points of throwing spit-wads without detection, Gray was given an elementary education by his mother, Kim. Once he reached high school age, video classrooms directed his study.

Stepping onto a college campus of more than 30,000 students did not come easy for Gray. He had to fight through a certain amount of social awkwardness.

"(It's hard) getting conversations going and relying on other people to keep them going," said Gray, a self-professed introvert who speaks quietly, yet confidently.

"But the hardest part was being in a classroom and taking notes and studying. Interacting with people ---- I don't have a problem with that. It's just the conversational skills that lack a little bit."

A moral compass, however, is not lacking.

That's what his father, John, a former Christian pastor, and his mother had in mind when they decided to home-school John and his older sister, Nichole ---- shielding their children from negative influences and peer pressure.

Now in college, a place where peer pressure can be just as prevalent as high school, Gray has stood by his beliefs. In short, don't expect him at a raging party anytime soon.

As a member of the Comets, Gray gets on well and enjoys spending time with his teammates. But he doesnít take part in the typical youthful mischief some of them might.

"(Christianity) plays a pretty big role, because I don't want to go and do a lot of things that my teammates will do," Gray said. "That's not to say that they're wrong or bad ---- it's just not the kind of environment I like to be in."

Church was one of the main agents of socialization for Gray as a child. Sports was another.

His athletic aspirations were always helped by home-schooling, as his lessons were over early and left plenty of time to play. Gray's "high school" lessons were usually finished by 10 a.m., allowing him to spend the rest of the day on the links.

These days, he has more on his plate.

Between golf, class and spending time with his friends, Gray has found an ideal balance at Palomar. And in social situations, he finds himself getting more and more comfortable. He even likes to party ---- although that term may have a different definition than it holds for most college students.

"I have no problem with partying in the sense of hanging out with a bunch of friends and playing games or something like that. That's what I consider a party," he said. "I'm not going to go out and get drunk. That's not my idea of fun."

This year, Gray is just as much of a straight-shooter on the course. A lanky player who can crush it off the tee, he started the season with a hot putter that facilitated his torrid start. His play on the greens has cooled since, but he has enough length and accuracy to compensate.

"I'd have to say his ball-striking is probably as good as a Tour player," Palomar coach Jonas Crawford said. "His short game is pretty good, but his putter is not as good. I think if he drops a few more putts, you'll see 66 from the kid forever."

Gray sat out last season to concentrate on academics and make his push for a Division I scholarship the year before his transfer. Currently, San Diego State and USC, among others, are on his radar.

"Really, what it comes down to is how well I play," Gray said. "If I can continue to play as well as I've been playing, I wonít have a problem getting into a school."

Now that golf is Gray's biggest concern, his next transition should be a snap.

Contact staff writer Michael Klitzing at mklitzing@nctimes.com.

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