CHANGE MY LOCATION
Sports
Examiners
California News
Multimedia News
In an old place, Parrish to break new ground
SEE THE LATEST ON THIS STORY
Related Topics: WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON (Map, News) - DeMatha junior Jerrell Parrish is excited and proud to be the first African American to compete in the Euro Junior Golf Cup, a Ryder Cup-style international competition, which takes place next week in St. Andrew’s, Scotland.
But, please, don’t ask him about Tiger Woods.
“To be honest, that does get a little old,” said Parrish, a resident of Glenn Dale. “I am a Tiger Woods fan. But he’s not the only player I like.”
The comparison is unavoidable, not just because of Parrish’s angular build (5-foot-10, 165 pounds). Like Woods, the only African American on the PGA Tour, Parrish often finds himself the only black player in national-level tournaments.
When Parrish, 16, plays for Team USA next week in triangular competition against players from Canada and Scotland, he knows attention will come.
“There is added pressure and it makes you a little nervous,” said Parrish. “I’m under a microscope. But I experience it all the time and I welcome it. It sets me apart.”
Apparently, Parrish thrives under pressure. He qualified for the Euro Cup by winning three of the seven tournaments he entered on the International Junior Golf Tour. His best performance came in Hershey, Pa., where he shot 67-74 — 141, to win the 13-15 Division by eight strokes.
Unlike most top junior players, Parrish did not grow up in a golf family. Neither of his parents, Michael and Serena, play. Older brother, DaLawn Parrish, a football standout at Wake Forest, is head coach at Henry Wise High in Upper Marlboro.
But Jerrell took up golf at nearby Glenn Dale Golf Course age 11 and was a quick study. Next week, in the birthplace of the sport, Parrish will get his first taste of links-style golf. After watching the world’s best players struggle at the windy British Open last weekend, he’s prepared for anything.
“They said it could be 90 degrees. It could be 50. We could get wind, rain, snow, anything,” said Parrish. “You need to hit it low and take off the spin. It will be different, for sure.”
Comments from Examiner Readers
1:24 PM MST on Mon., Aug. 25, 2008 re: "Marino hooks up Cable"
Report as inappropriate
9:01 PM MST on Tue., Jun. 24, 2008
re: "Liotta: Tiger Woods is as good as sports gets"
Report as inappropriate
2:31 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 4, 2007
re: "Always a fresh supply at Churchill"
Report as inappropriate
2:16 PM MST on Fri., Jul. 20, 2007
re: "With little help, Strang wins"
Report as inappropriate
3:28 PM MST on Wed., Jun. 13, 2007
re: "Wie’s uphill struggle continues"
Report as inappropriate
4:37 PM MST on Mon., Jun. 11, 2007
re: "Wie’s uphill struggle continues"
Report as inappropriate
3:03 AM MST on Mon., Jun. 4, 2007
re: "Gearing up for a very busy week at Bulle Rock"
Report as inappropriate
P Fish said:
Cable owned marino back in the day.
9 agree | 3 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Awesome article. I totally agree. I took a vacation day to watch the Open on Monday. Tiger needs to come back! Thanks for great writing.
11 agree | 11 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Bronwen Iuen said:
Does anyone know anything about Kevin Dunleavy? If he's from Texas and about 29 then I think I was friends with him in high school (Klein). If anyone would know how to get in touch with him, that would be great. I tried calling but the lady I talked to didn't know anything about him. bronwen.iuen@gmail.com
348 agree | 301 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Mr.Dunleavy-A Baltimore boy, Church Waesche, won the 16-17 division of the Gorin on his 16th birthday and was the runner up in the Bobby Bowers last week. Any reason you continue to focus on the Washington region golfers instead of the Baltimore boys?
378 agree | 327 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
grp of marin said:
Michelle should just be Michelle. A pro golfer and a college student. Break away from parental, sponsor, present managment domination and what the LPGA wants. Find her groove make her own decisions and RELAX! At 17 going on to 18 you are considered a young adult. It's time to break away from the nest and feel the air flutter her wings.
575 agree | 365 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
even if she is going thru some swing changes can't she at least dress like a professional she looks like something from sex in the city, or a three old dressing up out of her mother's closet. some one help her please......
333 agree | 326 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Kelkyen said:
Did the rich people remember to have the cops in Aberdeen and HdG warn the bums and crackheads along route 40 to stay away?
609 agree | 351 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree