Jacob and Olivia Ross off Brookhaven are maintaining the golftradition in their family. Despite their youth, they have achieveda high level of success.

Jacob, 14, is fresh from winning the MS/LA Junior GolfChampionship that was staged last weekend at the Wolf Hollow GolfClub located on Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Wesson campus.He shot a personal-best 6-under par 66 and won the 14-15 agedivision by 10 strokes over runner-up Chase Taylor of Columbus.Ross had a 2-round total of 73-66–139.

“I like to practice and I like to win,” Ross admitted, his darkbrown eyes flashing with determination. His favorite PGA Tourplayer is Tiger Woods who is known for his steely-eyed, no-nonsensefocus on the golf course.

The 14-year-old son of Ronny and Elizabeth Ross prefers Titleistwoods and Ping irons. He uses a Rife putter and a Titleist Pro VIball.

A slender 6-footer, Jacob placed a remarkable 25th in theMississippi State Amateur Tournament held at the DiamondheadCountry Club in Gulfport. He won the Mississippi Junior StateAmateur in the 15-under division. Ross authored a 3-round total of75-73-72-220 at the Colonial Country Club and finished 4-over par,beating his closest challenge by 5 strokes.

Asked to name his favorite course, Ross said he liked theHattiesburg Country Club and Ole Waverly in West Point.

His father, Ronny, is a PGA Professional and instructs hischildren in the game of golf. He also serves as Director of Golf atWolf Hollow and coaches the Co-Lin golf team.

“Jacob works hard on his game and Olivia has a load of talent,”said their father, Ronny. “We hope they both get a collegescholarship some day.”

Olivia, standing 4-11, is a growing 10-year-old with large blueeyes and a disarming smile. Her game is steadily improving, too, asevidence by a personal-best 48 this summer. She also won herdivision in the MS/LA Junior Championship, edging KarleyWhittington of Vicksburg by 1 stroke, 111-112. She shot rounds of52 and 59.

She also won the Pro’s of the Future tourney at the TupeloCountry Club, shooting a 51. In two summers she has yet to lose atournament in her age division.

A fifth-grader at Brookhaven Academy, her favorite LPGA playeris Paula Creamer. Olivia uses Titleist woods and Cobra irons, plusa Nike putter. She prefers a pink Pinnacle ball. One of herfavorite courses is the Greenwood Country Club.

Asked what she liked about the game of golf, Olivia said, “Ilike to hit (ball) really far. And I enjoy playing golf with myfriends.”

A maternal observation was made.

“Olivia is more laid back and relaxed,” said her mother,Elizabeth. “Jacob gets in a golf focus mode the morning of atournament and that’s all he thinks about.”

Jacob, a freshman, is home-schooled, allowing him more afternoontime to practice at the golf course. He usually practices 6 days aweek.

He recently was recognized as the Mississippi Junior GolfAssociation’s Player of the Year.

The Ross family’s life is centered around golf and they all haveenjoyed the benefits.