May makes his mark with Co-Lin golf team

Published 9:00 pm Sunday, May 5, 2013

WESSON – Corbin May displays the skill of a surgeon when he carves up a golf course. Focusing his blue eyes on the task at hand, he strategically probes the strengths and weaknesses of each hole and solves the challenges he encounters.

May, a Co-Lin sophomore, is fresh from winning MACJC State and NJCAA Region 23 Tournament titles. His golfing talents have landed him a place in the NJCAA National Tournament at Scottsboro, Ala. later this month, May 21-24.

Obviously, his future is bright. Originally signed to a scholarship by Mississippi State University, May was redshirted as a freshman. His friendship with Brookhaven Academy senior Jacob Ross eventually brought him to Co-Lin. Jacob’s father, Ronny Ross, is the PGA professional at the Wolf Hollow Golf Club and Co-Lin’s golf coach.

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Looking to the future, May said he is deliberating on the right scholarship opportunity. He is being recruited by several senior colleges, among them Ole Miss, where the younger Ross already has signed a scholarship.

“I want to play college golf and get my tuition paid for,” said May. “I want to get into medical school.”

His long-range goal is to become an orthopedic surgeon. A Saltillo resident, he was home-schooled in high school but his golfing skills didn’t go unnoticed. He has maintained a 3.7 GPA at Co-Lin.

When May elected to attend Co-Lin, he also joined the tennis team. However, the demands of the classroom and his favorite sport led to his decision to concentrate on golf. “Tennis interfered with my golf and grades.”

Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 180 pounds, the 20-year-old son of Tracy and Cireese May, looks and acts like a promising PGA Tour member. He has an older brother and four younger sisters. His father is a golf course designer and builder.

“I started playing golf when I was 14,” said May. “I really love the game.”

In the state tournament, May led the Wolfpack to the state championship, shooting a 2-under par 70. He captured match medalist honors by winning a 5-hole playoff over Chad Cupples of Northwest. A birdie putt on the final playoff hole decided the title.

In the regional, May carded a second-round, 2-under 70 to win the title by 5 strokes at the Dancing Rabbit Golf Club in Philadelphia.

“My putting has really improved and so has my driving,” answered May, when asked about his golf skills. “Coach Ronny really helped me with my putting. It has showed up in my game.”

May is a keen competitor and said that helps him focus better in tournament golf. “It brings out the best in me. I love tournament golf.”

His home course is the Natchez Trace Golf Club in Tupelo. His bag is filled with Titleist clubs. He uses a Titleist 909 D3 driver and a Rife 2-Bar putter.

Asked about his favorite PGA Tour player, May singled out Dustin Johnson. “He is a super athlete. He’s a freak. He has the athleticism of an NBA or NFL player.”

May said he has enjoyed his time at Co-Lin. “It’s a lot different from Mississippi State but there are a lot of good people here. Jacob and me are best buddies. We played a lot of summer tournament golf together. Coach Ronny has been like a father figure to me.”

He isn’t sure where he will play golf next year. His brother, Montana, is a student at MSU, majoring in kinesiology. His girlfriend attends MSU, too.