ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Jackson Reber

West Orange County Club golfer Jackson Reber competed at the U.S. Kids Golf tourney at the Dubsdread Golf Course Saturday, July 22, in College Park, where he placed fourth after getting a 40-point score. 

Talk to us about your years as a golf player.
The first time I was holding a golf club and went on a course I was 3 years old. I was playing with plastic clubs, but the first time I actually went on a tournament was when I was 5.

Earliest memory playing golf? 

I remember my dad took a video of me (when I was 6 years old), and sent it to Jordan (Spieth)’s aunt and it showed me putting and saying that Jordan is the best golfer. 

What do you love most about golf as a sport? 
My favorite thing is the feel. I like the feel of hitting the ball and putting. I am more of a feel player. 

What do you believe golf has taught you on and off the course? 
It’s taught me a (competitive side of me) and to have a better attitude. I’m still competitive but I don’t complain and argue with my dad as much anymore. 

Do you have a favorite drill to do at practice? 
I have a drill where I put my club in between my hands and I swing. This causes me to use my chest more instead of my hands. I don’t want to just use my arms for more power; I want to use my chest too. 

What do you think makes you a unique player on the golf course?
Personally, I am the best at chipping and putting because I am very consistent in putting and chipping. But, in my iron game and my longer game I am not as consistent. 

How do you believe you are a leader on the golf course? 
Lately, I started to play more by myself without my dad having to caddie as much. And I am trusting my puts a lot and my shots more. 

Do you have a favorite professional golf player to watch? 
I like Collin Morikawa and Jordan Spieth; they are both two of my favorite golfers. I can’t really determine which of them I like better. 

What’s your favorite hobby? 
I have a friend right across the street, and sometimes I see him out playing basketball, so I go over to his house to play different sports with him. 

What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island? 
Pickles, a football or a basketball, and my puppies. 

What’s your favorite movie? 
I like a lot of movies. … I like the new Spider Man movie, (“Spider Man: Across the Spider-Verse”), and I like the first Batman movie. 

What’s your favorite type of music? 
Rappers, (I like) Busta Rhymes — The censored version of the songs.

Who’s you favorite superhero? Why? 
I like Spider Man a lot because I like how he moves around, … and I also like Black Panther a lot; he’s cool.

Who’s your favorite Disney character? Why? 
I watched all of the Toy Story movies, probably (my favorite character) is Buzz Lightyear.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why? 
Telekinesis — I can move any object with my minds so I wouldn’t have to get up and also I could protect myself.

What are three places you’d like to visit? Why? 
France because … I want to see the Eiffel Tower, maybe Argentina because it just sounds cool and Spain because I like its sports teams. 

If you could go back in time to a specific period of history, which one would it be and why? 
Probably when Abraham Lincoln was around because apparently I am related to him (on my mom’s side) so I would like to see him. 

What color would you say represents your personality? Why?
My favorite color is red. I like it because it stands out there, and I like being a leader and tough. 

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why? 
A dog, because I always wanted to try dog food.