By Larry Larsen
Jake demonstrating his chip shot / Fred Orkin
Eastman resident Rae Tober’s 9-yearold grandson, Jake, has made a name for himself as a young competitive golfer on the national and international stage. With impressive results as a junior, he seems to be a lad with an amazing future in the world of golf.
Rae recalled when Jake visited Eastman as a boy less than 3 years old, he would swat a plastic ball around using a toy club like one you can buy at any toy or department store. “The club was right handed, but he played with his left,” she explained. He still does, but now he has a set of real clubs all his own and does he know how to use them!
“When he comes to Eastman, he will play the driving range and putt for hours,” she said. Jake’s father, TJ Tober, has lived for many years in London, England, where Jake was born. “When he was just walking, he didn’t want to play with toy cars. He always was a kid who loved playing with a ball,” TJ recalls. “He would take two steps, hit the ball with the plastic club, fall, get up, and do it again.”
Jake competes in U.S. Kids Golf, a non-profit organization that encourages and supports young golfers. Just before the recent summer visit to Eastman, Jake competed in a world championship event in Pinehurst, NC, where he placed sixth in his age group. He has played competitively in Europe and has walked away with the top prize in several tournaments. In 2016, Jake won the prestigious U.S. Kids Golf European Championship 8 and younger title against 54 boys in his age group.
Jake pondering a question during the interview / Fred Orkin
TJ recounts his own nervousness when his son is about to play in a major tournament. “I lie awake all night thinking about what could go wrong. Jake sleeps like a baby.” For Jake, the game is a joy. Although father can be excited about a tournament, his mother gets even more excited.
What makes Jake remarkable are his attitude and determination. “He views a bad golf situation as a challenge as opposed to a threat,” said his dad. “I love the game, but I don’t have the same mindset.” Jake likes to set up difficult golf situations. “When he was very young, he would play in our backyard outside London. He would play into the woods piling leaves and even mud to make the shot tougher.”
Jake has had many golf coaches but, as yet, no one has tried to tell him how to hold the club or to insist he swing a certain way. He has evolved with his own technique. One might expect him to be self-absorbed with his early success, but that is far from the case. His light hair and warm, easy-going style are impressive. Comfortable conversing with adults, he speaks more maturely than the average youngster his age as he recounts his nascent golfing career. He speaks of his golfing achievements with a smile of sheer joy.
Jake excels in the major golf strategies. “I can drive a ball from 180 to 220 yards,” he said modestly. He loves trick shots and will practice them for hours. One specialty is a “flop shot” where the ball is lifted straight into the air and then can be bounced with the club.
Rae Tober, Jake, and TJ Tober at EGL / Fred Orkin
Jake “has been around” in the world golf circuit. He quietly explained he has been playing in Spain, Germany, Italy, and France, to name a few. This past summer, he played in the European Championship in East Lothian, Scotland. There were 1,200 kids from all over the world. Jake met and became a friend of another boy his age from Thailand.
Jake offered, “I do practice quite a bit; golf is just fun.” Asked which club was his favorite, he smiled and said, “All of them.” Next year he will be living with his family in Spain, attending an American school and playing golf to be ready for future tournaments. “I will be in the fifth grade.” He writes with his right hand and is remarkably ambidextrous. He also enjoys playing tennis.
TJ told a story about when Jake was 4 years old and playing a London golf course that reveals how Jake views his game. A group was close to the first tee, eating and drinking. When the diminutive 4-year-old addressed the tee, most onlookers became quiet, but two ladies continued to have a loud conversation. Jake asked his father to come over. “Do you want me to ask them to be quiet?” Dad asked. “No,” Jake answered,” I just want them to watch me take my shot.”
TJ is most proud of what golf has given his son, and it isn’t trophies. “He has learned etiquette, how to wait, poise, and maturity.” Grandmother Rae is obviously proud. She is a golfer. When asked if he could play better than his grandmother, Jake lowered his head, smiled, and said, “Probably.” Rae nodded her agreement.
Larry Larsen has been an Eastman owner for 15 years. He is a clinical psychologist in Massachusetts and contributes poetry and prose to Eastman Living.
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