Tyler Brewington

It is said that finding true success is loving what you do. Rider University senior golfer Tyler Brewington fits that description to a tee.

Last summer, Brewington, a three-time All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference finisher, qualified for the 107th United States Amateur Tournament in San Francisco.

“The U.S. Amateur is the top amateur tournament in the world,” said Brewington, a marketing major from Orangeville, Pa. “It took four tries but I finally made it. A lot of good players have never qualified for the U.S. Amateur and I didn’t want to be one of them. Guys like Tiger [Woods], Phil [Mickelson], Arnold [Palmer] and Jack [Nicklaus]— golfers you know by first name— they have won this tournament, so once you are there, you never know what can happen.”

Rider head coach Bob Whartenby believes Brewington is well-positioned to enter their league. “To be honest, if he works on his short game a little more I think he’ll be out there on the PGA Tour (Professional Golfers Association) one day -- that’s how well he hits the ball.”

Brewington received one of two sponsors’ exemptions to play in the Northeast Pennsylvania Classic on the PGA Nationwide Tour in Scranton, Pa., as one of the top local amateurs in Pennsylvania. Despite shooting only four over par, he finished six shots over over the cut line of two under par. “Even though he missed the cut at the nationwide tournament, a couple little tweaks here and there and he’s making the cut,” Whartenby said. “That proves that he is going to go somewhere.”

Brewington is steadily plotting his course. “My plan is to play golf throughout this summer and if I keep getting better I’ll turn pro,” Brewington said. “I hope to play in a couple of events and give “Q” school a shot.” The PGA Tour conducts an annual Qualifying Tournament (known colloquially as Q-School), a six-round tournament held each fall where the top 30 finishers receive privileges to play on the following year's PGA Tour.

“What Tyler has done and will do is big, not only for himself but for Rider University and the golf program,” said Whartenby. “I personally know how difficult it is to qualify for the U.S. Amateur and for Tyler to accomplish that is pretty impressive. It’s a big step in his career.”

While playing for Benton High School, Brewington was instantly attracted to the Rider Division I golf team. “On my recruiting trip to Rider, I thought this place was basically on my way to heaven,” he said. “I had a good time and liked the guys on the team. I thought I could come here and really fit in, play Division I golf and get a great education.”

This fall, Brewington won the Leo Keenan Invitational hosted by St. Bonaventure, placing first of 74 golfers. He finished second of 85 golfers at the Cornell Invitational, and second of 84 golfers at the Bucknell Invitational, just one shot behind the winner after 54 holes.

“A lot of people don’t realize the mental part of golf,” Brewington said. “It is unbelievably crazy. I play golf because it is so hard. One day you can go out and have a nice round and think you are on top of the world. The next day a lot of things can go wrong. It is amazing what this game can do to you emotionally, mentally and physically. I play every day of my life, and I can’t figure it out.

“Still, I can’t imagine my life without playing golf, not only for a living but just as a passion,” he continued. “I want to have the best of both worlds, to play something that I enjoy so much and one day make a living at it. What can be better?”

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