TEE-RIFIC PLAYING EARNS LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER MAJOR WINS

Rusty Strawn wins two major golf tournaments back-to-back.

by ERIN LOPEZ

McDonough native Rusty Strawn is continuing to make a name for himself in the world of amateur golf.

Known locally as the CEO of Strawn and Co., Insurance, Strawn continues to earn recognition nationally and internationally after winning two major amateur golf competitions back-to-back.

Strawn competed at The Kittansett Club in Marion, Massachusetts from August 27th to September 1st, winning the 68th U.S. Senior Amateur Championship after days of challenging gameplay.

He states that this win took a lot of focus and dedication leading up to the event. “I intentionally developed a national schedule in 2022 that would prepare me to get ready for the National Championship in Marion and ended up winning two national events. I won the Florida Senior Azalea Senior Amateur Championship in Palatka, Florida in March and then I went to Dallas, Texas and won the Trans-Miss Senior Invitational in May. So those two wins gave me a lot of confidence moving forward. I knew that my game was in really good shape.

“Still, no matter how well you play, you never know,” said Strawn. “You can get beat. The fields are so deep and the competition is so strong, you can play really well and get beat. But fortunately for me, I played well and ended up winning.”

Less than a week after winning in the United States, Strawn traveled to Alberta, Canada to compete against over 150 male golfers and won the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at Red Deer Golf & Country Club that took place from September 5th to 9th.

“I was exhausted but I had a lot of confidence and momentum and I ended up playing really well and ended up winning that tournament by three strokes,” said Strawn.

This is the first international championship that he has won. He is one of two golfers who have ever won both championships back-to-back. “For me to do it, it was just as mind boggling as winning the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship. I couldn’t believe it,” said Strawn. “All the hard work and all the preparation that you put in, the time, the money, the energy, it pays off. That’s what’s so fulfilling about it.”

Strawn states that the wins are attributed to many hours of practice and dedication to the game of golf.

“Winning the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship is the pinnacle. That’s the ultimate for any golfer. To win an U.S. Golf Association Title, it is the ultimate,” said Strawn. “That’s why we practice. It’s a lot of time on the driving range hitting balls and working on your putting and chipping, and short game. And you do it for all these years, just wanting to have that opportunity to win and then it finally happens and you’re like, ‘wow.’”

Strawn has been working on his golf game since he was seven years old.

His father, Norman Strawn, taught him how to play the game of golf at Green Valley Golf Club.

“It was a great opportunity for us to spend time together and introduce me to a great game,” said Strawn. “I went to the driving range and putting green and just had fun.”

Strawn competed in many junior golf tournaments with the Atlanta Junior Golf Association and Georgia State Golf Association in his teenage years, further working to develop his golf game.

“I got a lot of exposure playing in tournament golf at a very early age,” said Strawn.

He also played golf in high school at McDonough Christian Academy.

After playing golf at Central Alabama Community College, he then received a scholarship to play golf at Georgia Southern University. “I really enjoyed my time at Georgia Southern. My golf game developed,” said Strawn. “I ended up making the Transatlantic All Conference my junior and senior years.”

Strawn states he never had his sights set on professional golf, but instead enjoyed working on his game and competing in more state, local and national amateur golf events, in many of which he was a finalist or won.

“After graduating from college, I did not have, what I thought, the game to play professionally,” said Strawn.

“I wanted to continue playing amateur golf.”

After graduating college, working at the family business, and taking a number of years to focus on raising his family, he finally returned to the game of golf and has competed regularly since.

He is grateful for the game of golf in allowing him these opportunities to compete nationally and internationally as well as giving him friendships from all over the world.

“I’ve had so many people in my life that have taken interest in my game, to help me develop my game,” said Strawn. “The real trophy for me is all the wonderful relationships I have built.

I am very fortunate to have friends all over the country and all over the world that I share a common game with and I stay in constant contact with them today.”

His wife has also played an instrumental role in his amateur golf career, even stepping in to be his caddy when needed, but mostly by being with him nearly every step of the way on his golf trips and competitions, providing support and encouragement.

“Rusty is very disciplined in all aspects of his life and golf is no exception. He puts countless hours into developing his game and preparing for tournaments,” said his wife, Jennifer Strawn.

“It’s exciting to see his hard work pay off! I could not be prouder of him!”

Strawn plans to continue to play the game of golf and compete in local, national, and international competitions when he is able.