James Smoot Accepts St. John’s Golf Scholarship
One of the greatest golfers in Huntington High School history is headed to St. John’s University on a full athletic scholarship. Senior James Smoot signed an NCAA Division I letter of intent to attend the Queens school and play on its links team.
Smoot is one of the top young golfers in the metropolitan New York area, if not the country. The Suffolk League III individual champion, he has already made two trips to the New York State golf finals. The teenager is in the mix for a county crown in the spring, when he will seek to qualify for his third consecutive appearance in the state championships.
“It is an amazing feeling to see Jim move on and realize his dream of playing NCAA Division I golf,” said Michael Marinello, Huntington’s varsity golf coach. “I will miss all of the qualities he brings to the golf program. However, Jim’s impact on the program will continue as his younger teammates have learned how to work, compete and carry themselves as gentlemen from such a positive role model. I look forward to following him at St John’s.”
Smoot considered Richmond University, South Florida, Elon and the College of Charleston before accepting a scholarship offer from St. John’s.
“I chose to attend St. John’s University because of the strong reputation of its academic program and its golf team,” Smoot said. “I knew I would be able to play on a team at the highest level of college sports.”
Smoot has played a key role in the Blue Devil golf program’s resurgence. He’s a fine all-around athlete and was recently honored by the Suffolk Zone of the New York chapter of the Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance for the excellence he has displayed in physical education.
“I loved to play any sport I could get myself into when I was younger,” Smoot said. “When I played in my first tournament at eight years old, I fell in love with the competition and pressure that golf put on me.”
Smoot is looking forward to the county and state golf tournaments in the spring and is excited to see what the Blue Devils can accomplish as a team and as individuals.
“Our performance at last year’s county tournament proved to the guys that a first place finish is well within our reach and I don’t think we plan on settling for anything less this upcoming spring,” Smoot said. “There was never a dull moment with the team. I’m proud of the hard work they put in this past season. I am looking forward to the opportunity of going out on top at the state tournament and making the Huntington community proud of our golf program.”
Smoot’s skills and mental approach to the game of golf continue to improve, thanks to the thousands of hours he has spent on courses, practicing, competing and being tutored. He generously gives credit to others for the success he and the Blue Devils have enjoyed.
“The Huntington golf team has been able to accomplish a 49-0 record (since 2011) through the help and support of our athletic director Georgia McCarthy along with Coach Marinello’s belief and commitment to our team. Without them none of this would have been possible.”