Local standout will stay in Wayne County

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 20, 2013 1:48 PM

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Nick Adams has enjoyed a stellar high school career -- one that is unparallel to previous golfers who have walked the halls at Rosewood High School.

And his best years are still ahead.

A driven athlete with a genuine love -- and respect -- for the game he's played competitively since the ripe age of seven years old, Adams will continue his career at Mount Olive College. The senior signed a national letter-of-intent with the Trojans earlier this week.

"I think it was the best decision golf-wise and with it being close to home," Adams said. "I didn't really like the idea of going far away. I like that I'm still going to be around here and my family can come watch me play."

Adams is the reigning N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A Mideast Regional champion -- a title he has owned for three consecutive seasons. He helped guide the Eagles to three straight Carolina Conference crowns and three consecutive appearances in the state tournament.

Once a shy individual, Adams feels confident he can contribute at MOC. He eagerly anticipates going up against Sebastian Andersen, who became the program's first-ever freshmen-of-the-year on the Conference Carolinas scene.

"He's really good," Adams said. "I want to see how my game stands up to him."

Andersen helped guide Mount Olive to a pair of second-place finishes during its fall season. The Trojans emerged the runners-up at the Kiawah Island Invitational and Myrtle Beach Intercollegiate, and placed fifth at the prestigious McDonough Cup.

Trojans' head coach Chip Spiron is confident Adams can contribute to an experienced squad that advanced to the NCAA regionals last spring.

Adams doesn't disagree.

"I think every part of my game is pretty solid, but to take it to the next level, you've just got to round out your game completely ... work on everything," Adams said. "The conference usually has several teams among the top 25 in the nation. To play with them, you just really have to get your act together. It's not like high school golf any more.

"It's big boy golf."

RHS head coach Daniel Baynes has seen tremendous growth in Adams since his eighth-grade year. He's watched him blossom on the golf course and in the classroom.

Adams is part of Peer Group Connections and mentors 12 freshmen twice a week during homeroom. He's put the same effort into that task as he puts on the putting green during practice.

"He is driven to get better and better each day," Baynes said. "I have never known an athlete to work as hard as Nick does at his craft. I enjoy being around him and listening to his perspective on things.

"He is broadening his mind, his fifth, his commitment to his community and his golf game. But he realizes the importance of all of it (and) I think I've learned more from him than he's learned from me."