A Few Minutes With Branden Chicorka

Enfield golfer Branden Chicorka began demonstrating his prowess at a young age, winning the Connecticut Division II high school championship while just a sophomore at Fermi High School, and placing fourth in the New England Championships.

After capping a standout scholastic career with his third straight All-State honor in 2009, Chicorka accepted a full scholarship to the University of Rhode Island, where he has just completed his second season. On May 25, he added to his already-impressive list of accomplishments by winning his first Connecticut State Golf Association major title, capturing the Russell C. Palmer Cup at Hop Meadow Country Club in Simsbury.

Following his victory, Chicorka, a member of eClub of River Valley, took a few minutes to chat with Enfield Patch about his career to date, and his future plans.

Q: When did you first play golf, and when did you begin thinking of it as a career?

A: I've had a golf club in my hand for as long as I can rememeber. My dad, uncles and grandfathers all played golf, and even my mom and sister try and play every once in a while. I guess you can say we are a golf oriented family. Of course I always dreamed of having that 15 foot putt against Tiger in the Masters to win, but I haven't really ever seriously considered golf to be my career. With all the incredible young players there are trying to do the same, it makes it so tough to play on tour and actually make enough money to make a living. Now that I have a CSGA title under my belt, I have gained more confidence in myself and my game. I plan to continue working on my short game and hopefully get my game to where it needs to be in order to compete at that level consistently. 
 
Q: What colleges recruited you, and how did you decide to attend URI?

A: Early in the recruiting process I was talking to close to fifteen schools, however when it came down to decision making time, it was between St. John's, UConn, and URI. I chose to play for URI because of the laid back and easygoing attitude of the head coach, Tom Drennan. Not to mention the fact that I was going to be living off campus, in a house with four of my teammates, 200 yards from the Atlantic also had me leaning towards Rhode Island. Coach Drennan was known as a legend in the game. He had been at URI for 24 years, and had led his 2004 team to a trip to the NCAA Tournament. This year was his last as head coach stepping down from the throne and leaving behind an everlasting impact on college golf. I've been blessed with some of the best coaches, and Tom Drennan was easily the most caring and truly loved each of his players. 
 
Q: What is your lowest round in competitive play, and where?

A: In the 2009 CCC High School Championships, I shot a six-under-par 66 at Stanley Golf Course. In my senior year, I also shot a six-under-par 29 for nine holes at Grassmere Country Club in Enfield.
 
Q: Tell us about the eClub system.

A: eClub of River Valley is a web-based system that tracks your handicap through a computer system online, helping people that can't keep their handicap at their home club, or even golfers who don't necessarily belong to a home course. 
 
Q: The Palmer Cup is your first major victory. How does it feel to best some of the top players in the state, including veterans like Dave Szewczul?

A: There's no other way to put it than simply great. I was playing consistent smart golf and once my putter started to heat up, I knew I could make some noise. Dave Szewczul is known throughout Connecticut for his game, and to be able to take a victory in such a strong field was really something else. 
 
Q: What lies ahead in the near future? Do you plan to attempt to qualify for the Travelers Championship?

A: We all know golf is a very funny game. One day you can shoot par and the next hit five greens. I plan to just keep working on my game, especially my short game. Once you get to this high of a level, everyone can hit the ball 270 in the fairway. It's the players that make the most ten footers and can save a par from the trap that will ultimately walk away on top of the leader board. Eventually I would like to take a shot at trying to turn pro if the game is still fined tuned and ready. Playing in the Travelers is something that I have dreamed about ever since I sat on the 18th greenside shady hill when my Dad first introduced me to the game. It would be by far the best experience of my life, and is currently my top bar as far as my golf career.
 
Q: What has been your biggest thrill in golf to this point?

A: My biggest thrill in golf wasn't my trip to Pebble Beach for my 16th birthday, it wasn't winning any of the past tournamnets, nor was it receiving an athletic scholarship to play for the University of Rhode Island. My biggest thrill in golf is simply the simplicity of the game and what it brings. Golf is a sport that requires not only mental endurance, but also honesty and integrity. It teaches the player to respect the game for what it is, rather than trying to overpower it. It's catching up on the putting green before each round with all the people I have met through the years that gives me the thrill. Making a double bogey and coming back the next hole with an iron shot to three feet for birdie. Golf is a sport that has shaped me into who I am today, and is a game that I will stay loyal to until I can't bend down to grab the ball from the cup.