Brandon Hagy

Brandon Hagy is now an Alumnus, not only of Cal but AmateurGolf.com as well.

We enjoyed having him compete in our California events, and watching him play at the amateur game's highest level. An wonderful validation of Hagy's collegiate, amateur, and citizenship occurred in 2014 when, as a graduating senior, Hagy received the 2014 Byron Nelson Award, given annually to a graduating senior who excels not only on the golf course but also in the classroom and community. Now pursuing a professional career, Hagy has played three web.com Tour events and made the cut once, earning $2730. The former student athlete will likely attend school of a different type (Q School) to try and earn status for 2015, and we will follow him and wish him well along the way.

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PREVIOUSLY POSTED: Sept 24, 2012 Q&A with Brandon Hagy

Amateurgolf.com members --- AmateurGolf.com Tournament Series players, more specifically --- know him well. Fans of amateur golf are likely using his name on a daily basis. Soon enough, he’ll be a household name for any in-the-know sports fan.

After the summer Brandon Hagy had, it’s easy to understand why.

Hagy, a redshirt junior at Cal --- ranked No. 4 in the Golfweek Collegiate Team Rankings --- burst onto the scene with an amazing summer that saw a run to the semifinals at the 2012 U.S. Amateur, a win at the California State Fair Amateur and Top 10s at the Northeast Amateur (Tied 3rd), Sunnehanna Amateur (T8) and NCAA’s West Regional (3rd).

It’s safe to say, Hagy has arrived.

Now, he’s back at Berkeley gearing up for what very well could be an NCAA Championship year. Busy with class and the fall schedule, which started earlier this month with the Bears’ victory at the Gopher Invitational in Minnesota, Hagy took some time out to catch up with AmateurGolf.com:

AmateurGolf.com: You have been on a tremendous run with your success at the U.S. Amateur and win at the end of the summer season in California (State Fair). What has the emergence been like?

Brandon Hagy: It has felt awesome. It has kind of validated all of the hard work I’ve put in, sticking to the plan I set to redshirt a year which gave me the ability to work on my game and school work. I didn’t have a standout junior career by any means but I’ve improved a lot since freshman year. I’ve worked a lot on my short game to become a complete player. Hitting the ball far has been a strength of mine but to incorporate wedge play and putting into my game has helped round me out.

AGC:Without boasting, of course, how great is it, especially in the match play format, to be able to bomb it. (Editor’s note: Hagy averages 315-320 yards off the tee with his driver).

BH: To hit it far is a huge advantage in match play. It puts the pressure on your opponent when you have a short iron or wedge into the green. For as great as that advantage is thought, I felt like my short game helped me more during the U.S. Am.

AGC: What’s a typical practice session like for you?

BH: Practicing, I like to hit balls for an hour or two and spend at least double that time on shortgame and wedge shots. It’s nice to know which part of my game I really need to work on. In season, you really have to focus your practice sessions. During the week with classes and work to do, I hit balls for about 45 minutes and then work on the short game for two or three hours. Ball striking is always an ongoing thing to work on but that has always been more consistent for me.

AGC: What is your background in golf?

BH: It's funny, my parents actually don’t play. I started playing with a friend when we were 9 or 10. My grandfather bought me my first set. I played football and basketball too but decided to focus on it when I realized I had a talent for the game. I found it to be my most rewarding sport.

AGC: What are your ultimate goals with the game of golf?

BH: I will definitely be finishing my four years of NCAA eligibility. That was the plan throughout. I’ve never considered turning professional early. I’ve worked so hard to get to this point and feel like I do have ea shot to play well at the next level. Every tournament, my goal is to just keep getting better --- whether I win or not. Playing well at the U.S. Amateur was huge for me. It boosted my confidence and showed I can compete against the best players in the world. My goals for this year are to win a team National Championship. All of us believe we can. We have one of the best teams in the country and have only improved. Individually, my No. 1 goal is to make the Walker Cup team for 2013. I am also striving to be a first-team All-American. Those are the type of goals you can’t think about but they’re byproducts of good play. I’m trying to ride my hot streak as long as possible.