Golf is Glassman’s sport now
MADISON- The last time Madison sports fans saw Gary Glassman he was kicking field goals and kickoffs for Bob Jones. That was 2 years ago.
Glassman graduated from Bob Jones in 2015 and embarked on the rugged career path of junior hockey. But he never quit playing golf and with some professional lessons by Madison Golf Center’s Billy Eastep Glassman’s game kept improving. This spring he decided to go back to school and start working on a college degree. With the encouragement of his father David, Glassman called community colleges in Alabama to request a golf tryout.
It paid off when Jefferson State- Hoover agreed to look at him. Glassman, a long knocker, who averages 300 yards a drive impressed golf coach Jacob Melvin and was offered a scholarship.
On June 21 with his family, coaches, and Bob Jones Principal Sylvia Lambert on hand Glassman fulfilled a goal and signed a full tuition and fees paid scholarship.
“I was always a good student so I won’t have any issues,” Glassman, 20, said of getting back in the classroom. “Golf was one of my favorite sports. If I kept playing hockey I would have to move up north and I like it here. I’m very excited about the future. I’m hoping to play two years at Jefferson St. and transfer to an SEC school. I’ve always been real athletic and I’ve jumped around from football to soccer to hockey but I’ve finally found what I love to do.”
Glassman comes from a family of athletes.
Glassman’s father David is the Emergency Operations Officer for Madison Fire and Rescue. He grew up in New York playing hockey. He is a certified referee and referees high school, college, and professional hockey games here in Huntsville.
His sister Jessica plays soccer and was one of the leading scorers for Bob Jones varsity team last year as a freshman.
Jefferson St. is a community college and with an enrollment over 9,000 it is the third largest college in Alabama.
“Jefferson St. was very generous,” Glassman said. “They offered full tuition and fees and I’ll be going to the Shelby-Hoover campus and live off-campus. Their home course is Oxmoor Valley so I’m looking forward to playing there it is a really nice course.”
Glassman plays regularly at Hampton Cove and Gunter’s Landing. Now he will be playing top courses all across Alabama. Golf is a very strong sport in Alabama’s community colleges. College’s with golf teams include Northeast St., Snead St., Calhoun St. and Central Alabama. Twelve community colleges in all field golf teams.
Glassman credits Billy Eastep with getting him to playing this good.
“Billy Eastep is my instructor and he has helped me out tremendously with my swing and the mental part. Driving is the strong point of my game. I don’t have a real weakness in my golf game.”
