The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and golfing season is in full swing. Cape May County is home to breathtaking golden sunset views, but what about the green? This week, we’ve decided to profile an up-and-coming Cape May County golfer. Alexander Pomerantz shares his fledgling experiences with the game and how they have shaped his career as one of the nation’s rising golf stars.
Pomerantz was actually on the way home from a soccer game when he was first exposed to his now primary sport. Just twelve years old, young Alex stopped at a driving range and tried his hand at the sport. It was a natural fit, and from then on he focused his attention on learning more about the game and honing his golf skills. When we caught up with him, he had just returned from the NJ Jr. PGA Championship. There, Pomerantz finished in 13th out of 76 after making the cut going 74-79-74.
In July, Pomerantz competed in the US Kids Teen World Invitational at Pinehurst Golf Resort of Pinehurst, North Carolina. Championship golf in Pinehurst dates back to 1901 with the first annual United North & South Amateur Championship. Pinehurst will also be the future site of the 2014 U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Championships. The 2013 Kids Teen World was an international invitational event and Pomerantz placed 45th out of 140 top ranked competitors. As a member of his high school golf team at Watchung Hill Regional, he placed 2nd Team all Group IV and 1st Team All-Skyland Conference. Pomerantz also placed third individually in Somerset County.
A resident of Wildwood and grandson of late lifelong residents Anne and Frank Lebato, he practices about 80% of his game at Wildwood Golf & Country Club. Most recently, Alex has been working on swing plane and distance. “My distance really turned the corner after working every week with my trainer, Mike Wylykanowitz. I also go the gym 4-5x a week which has really helped me gain distance through a stronger core, better balance, and increased flexibility,” explains Pomerantz. Yet Pomerantz is confident in his ability to score with a wedge and cites it as one of his strong suits.
His undying passion for the sport has inspired Alex to foster such a love for golf in peers and young athletes. In both 2008 and 2009, he independently ran his own golf league with 12+ members. He also volunteers his time and skills at JGA Golf Academy instructing junior clinics.
The sky is the limit for 18 year-old Alex Pomerantz as he is slated to play as a member of Carnegie Mellon University’s golf team this fall under the direction of Coach Richard Erdelyi. He will be double majoring in International Relations and Biology and will be on the university’s pre-med track.
By Megan Kummer