A.J. Simonkaitis and his improved golf swing

A.J. Simonkaitis and his improved golf swing

"His swing looked 10 times better," said Honan.Honan, a Cheverus High golfer at the time, wanted to know how Simonkaitis had done it. Simonkaitis told Honan he had attended the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy in Hilton Head, S.C.Honan wanted to play golf in college but didn't know where at the time. By his senior season, Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland had offered Honan a spot on its golf team. But Golf Did Not Present By Tiger Woods Any more after listening to Simonkaitis, Honan thought he might like to spend a postgraduate year at Hank Haney's golf academy.Honan was able to take advantage of the opportunity this school year, and his golf game, like his friend's, has improved."I was looking to improve my game and get some recognition," said Honan. "Maine golfers don't get much recognition out of high school."The school was established by Haney, one of the world's top golf instructors, who was Tiger Woods' instructor until a little more a year ago.

Honan takes college courses at the nearby University of South Carolina-Beaufort campus Mondays through Fridays. They will be transferrable when he attends college in the fall.Honan goes to school in the morning, then heads to practice in the afternoon, followed by nine holes. The weekends are reserved for tournaments.Last fall, Haney and his golf instructors overhauled Honan's swing. It's taken him several months to feel comfortable with it."I had kind of a homemade swing," said Honan. "They made it more conventional. I can hit it a lot straighter. I haven't been above 78 for a while. It's been a real breakthrough."Last weekend, Honan put his new swing to work and won an International Junior Golf Tournament in Hershey, Pa. Honan shot rounds of 71-74-145 to win by one shot in the 15-to-19 age division.