Sports Spotlight - Windermere Observer: Eric Berggren

A senior at Windermere Prep, Eric Berggren was part of the Lakers golf team that won the FHSAA Class 1A State Championship in 2016. The latest accomplishment for this standout was of a more individual nature: Berggren placed third at a qualifying event for the U.S. Amateur. The 2018 U.S. Amateur Championship will take place Aug. 13 to 19 in Pebble Beach, California.

What were your expectations going into the U.S. Amateur Qualifier?

You can never expect to qualify for a big tournament like this. There are so many good players — especially in Florida — so all you can do is play your best and see what happens. It was very exciting to make the cut. My heart was pumping, and once I saw that it was enough, I couldn’t get a smile off my face.

How excited are you for the experience of playing the U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach?

Pebble Beach has been a course I’ve always wanted to play — my dad and I have been talking about it (for a while). My mental approach is going to be like other tournaments. I’m just going to have fun with it; it’s a pleasure to be there.

What do you enjoy about playing for the varsity team at Windermere Prep?

There’s definitely a lot of spirit, and we help each other out. That’s what I like about my team at Windermere Prep. We always look for what we can improve on, help each other in that scenario and go out, play courses and have fun with it. It’s great.

Who is your favorite golfer?

I’m a little biased here because I’m Swedish, but Henrik Stenson. I love his confidence when he goes out there. I’ve actually talked to him in person, and he’s a great guy. I love the way he plays golf courses.

Of which accomplishment on the golf course are you most proud?

Winning the state championship. The year before we did it, we had a really good shot at it, and we lost by a few shots. The next year, we knew we could do it, and all we needed to do was keep our composure on a difficult course — and that’s exactly what we did. 

What is your favorite area of study in school?

Math and entrepreneurship. I’m a big math guy, always have been. Entrepreneurship is one of the classes they give at the school, and I just find everything about it very interesting. … Mr. (Gary) Conroy always gives different perspectives — it’s not always, “This is right, this is wrong.”

How much do you appreciate the support of your parents?

I admire my parents, for sure, because they’ll always stick with me through any situation — good or bad. ... They’re always there to support me.

Can you tell us about your mental approach to the game?

Mentally, golf is difficult, but what helps me is having a routine. Bad shots happen, and you go back to that routine, move on to the next shot — it’s a brand-new shot. That’s what helps me.