Meet The Beavers: Matt Rawitzer
April 26, 2012
When head coach Jon Reehoorn had the opportunity to add Matt Rawitzer to the Oregon State men's golf team, he didn't hesitate. Why would he? He recruited Rawitzer to the University of Idaho when he was the head coach there and was well aware of the consistency he could add to the Beavers' lineup.
Reehoorn was at Idaho for three years and coached Rawitzer during his freshman campaign when he played in 13 tournaments and posted 10 subpar rounds, including a 4-under 68 on two separate occasions.
After Reehoorn left Idaho to take the head job at Oregon State, Rawitzer continued his solid play with the Vandals, posting a 72.39 scoring average with two top-10 finishes and a tie for medalist honors at the Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate.
Rawitzer has had a steady first season with the Beavers, competing in six tournaments with his best finish a tie for 14th at the Fresno State Lexus Classic to help Oregon State win the team title.
He'll be one of six players in the lineup this weekend when Oregon State hosts the Pac-12 Men's Golf Championship and hopes to lead the Beavers to their first conference title in school history.
When and where did you start playing golf?
"I started playing golf at age six. I grew up playing at Bellingham Golf and Country Club in Bellingham, Washington. My first time on a golf course, however, was at Skagit Golf and Country Club, which is the same course Coach Reehoorn grew up at."
Who is the one person who has helped you the most in your golf career?
"My dad would be the one person who has helped me the most in golf. I also rely heavily on my mom as well as friend and swing coach Craig Welty. They are always there for me when I need them."
When and where did you get your first par?
"My first par came on the third hole at Bellingham Golf and Country Club. I think I was eight or nine."
When and where did you get your first birdie?
"I've made so many birdies, but I can't even remember the first; it's just too many to count! (Joking, but really I don't even remember)."
When and where did you get your first eagle?
"My first eagle was on No. 17 at the Mission Hills Gary Player course in Palm Desert, California when I was 13. I holed a 9-iron from 134 yards."
Have you ever gotten a hole-in-one?
"The only hole-in-one I've ever made was on Peter Hay Par 3 course in Pebble Beach, California. I don't count it as a real hole-in-one since it was a par-3 course, but I do tell people I made one at Pebble Beach (technically true)."
What's your favorite golf course and why?
"My favorite golf course that I've ever played is Pebble Beach Golf Course. Nothing compares to the Monterey Bay and history at that place. As a sentimental favorite, I would have to choose Bellingham Golf and Country Club because that's where I grew up and there are too many memories to not include it."
What's the best shot you've ever hit?
"The first shot I ever hit in my life, that's always the hardest and also what got me hooked on the game. It was a cut down 5-iron in the field of a park by my house in Bellingham, Washington."
Why did you choose to attend Oregon State?
"I chose to come to Oregon State because of the coaching staff and a chance to compete against the best players in the country."
What do you like best about your teammates?
"We always have a good time but still work hard and try to achieve greatness."
What do you like best about your coaches?
"Coach Reehoorn and Coach Sundseth are both really down to earth and will do anything for us. They just want us to be the best we can be as golfers, students and people. It's hard to find that combination anywhere else."
What do you like best about Corvallis?
"Corvallis is a perfect college town. Small, but not too small, and everyone embraces the university. No sales tax is also nice."
What do you like best about Trysting Tree?
"We can do just about whatever we want at Trysting Tree. When the team is out there, it's as if we own the course, which allows us to work on all the things we need to do."
What's the best course you've played in college golf?
"I played at TPC Sawgrass my freshman year, which is where they play The Players Championship on the PGA Tour. The entire facility was incredible."
Who is the most famous person you've played golf with?
"I played with Tom Kite at Pebble Beach when I was in high school. In the golf world he is a big name and he won the 1992 US Open on that course."
Who would be in your dream foursome?
"My dad, Jack Nicklaus and Taylor Swift. With my mom as a spectator."
If you could play a different college sport at Oregon State, what would it be and why?
"Baseball. I've always loved baseball. I'm a HUGE Seattle Mariners fan."
What are your team and individual goals for the spring season?
"My individual goals are to compete to win at every event I play in. Our team goals are to win a Pac-12 Championship here at home and to win the NCAA Championship in Riviera."
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