East County Athlete of the Week: Jordan Brown

People know Stephen Curry for the dagger 3s he drains on the biggest stages in basketball. 

To Jordan Brown, he means something more.

The IMG Academy senior and Princeton men's golf commit has found success on Curry's Underrated Golf Tour – lots of it. He reached the Curry Cup Championship at New Jersey's Liberty National Golf Club from Sept. 10-12, and wound up  sixth out of 15 boys competitors.

Last year, Brown tied for second at the same event, establishing himself as one of the country's premier junior golfers. With back-to-back high finishes at Curry's event, Brown is the East County Athlete of the Week.

When and why did you start playing golf?

I started playing golf, seriously, when I was about 7 or 8 years old. My dad introduced me to it around that age. I started playing competitive tournaments, and I just fell in love with competing against other kids (and) traveling to different tournaments. And I think (my dad) really grew my inspiration.

What will you remember most about the Underrated tour?

I really think it's the connections and the people I've met. I've met golfers from all around the country – even the world – and seeing them at other tournaments and just around, like even some I'll hang out with on weekends. I think that's really huge that Underrated has brought us all together to form those connections within golf, and even outside of golf.

What's been your most humbling moment as a golfer?

Definitely last year at the Underrated final tournament. There's four regional events, and then there's a final one where you go in with a certain amount of score under par, and then play. After the first day of the final tournament last year, I was leading by four (strokes) and didn't win the last day. I didn't play my best. I got into a playoff and lost, so I'd definitely say that was very humbling. But it was also a really good experience for me to learn how to handle situations like that under pressure and then do better in similar situations next time.

What are your goals for your senior season with IMG Academy?

Some of my goals (are) definitely lowering my scoring average, continue getting stronger and building up faster club-head speed. Obviously, it's hard not to put winning tournaments in there as well, so I'd have to say that. But also just maintaining good grades and getting prepared for college.

What have you been working to improve with your game?

Over the summer, I struggled a lot with putting. Going into the last event of Underrated this year, I had been working really hard on it and making certain changes to where I'm understanding my own putting, and using what I'm learning from coaches at IMG (Academy) to implement into my game and be better in certain areas. And I think I've really been improving it, and I did putt well at that last event. So I'd say that's been a very important part in making my game better, and I think I'm still continuing to improve it and I think that's going to shift in my game in the future.

If you could meet any professional athlete, who would it be and why?

I'd have to say Tiger (Woods). His success from an early age – and around my age – when he was winning so many junior events, and then continuing that around college and his professional career. I think (that's) very inspiring, as well as the work ethic and passion shown towards the game. He's definitely someone I look up to in those parts, for sure.

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?

I would go to Italy, because I've heard they have really good food, and it's really scenic.

If you were stuck on a desert island with only one item, what would you bring and why?

Probably ChapStick. I hate when my lips are chapped.

What's your favorite movie?

The Hunger Games. The second one – Catching Fire – to be specific, but also the entire series.

What's your go-to hype music?

For pre-round hype, I'd listen to some (Kan)ye West. I think that definitely gets me in the moment.

Finish this sentence. Jordan Brown is...

Very hard working, and dedicated to achieving and working towards his goals.