Steve Larick will be playing again in the 2019 USGA Senior Open. 
This will be his 3rd USGA major championship appearance in 4 years on what is now called the Web.com Tour. 
“I played in 1995, ‘96, 2005 and ‘06 on the then called Nike and Nationwide Tours”, recounted the 54 year old head professional at Golden Hills Country Club in Lexington. 
He shot 70 to win by 2 and earn medalist honors for the qualifier conducted at Wexford Plantation Golf Club in Hilton Head. 
When asked what his qualifying secret was, Larick lit up.
“I am in the best shape of my life, certainly the best since my last year on tour,” he said. “I’m hitting it longer than I ever have and some of it could be technology, but I’m just swinging faster. 
“It’s odd to say this, but it’s actually a bit of a problem to be in this kind of shape because I’m hitting it considerably farther and not really sure what my distances are.  I was 285 yards into a 10-15 mile an hour wind and still hit it in a fairway bunker during the qualifier.”  
Larick complements 3-4 visits a week to Fit 413 with 3-4 neighborhood walks with his wife.
“I have the perfect neighborhood for exercise, because it is up and down a lot of hills. It’s actually fun and I enjoy walking with my wife,” said Larick, who played in his first major as a 17 year old junior golfer. 
Fit 413 Owner and Trainer Tony Dempsey designed a Golf Specific Program for him and actually trains him as well. 
“I start with the bike to get blood flowing and end with the bike,” Larick said. “I target shoulders, back, legs and core. I use the medicine ball and the Tsunami Bars. Each workout takes about 45 minutes.” 
The role of fitness is seldom mentioned when it comes to the performance of experts on the amateur or professional levels. Fitness is so important that the gym or training facility plays a major role in where players actually stay during the tournament. 
“Last year, the fitness center was convenient and in the basement of the hotel we stayed in so it was nice,” Larick said.  
Incidentally Larick’s first major championship in which he competed was the 1982 USGA Junior Championship at Crooked Stick in Carmel, Ind. when he was 17 years old. 
It will be fun following him in his 3rd event so stay tuned. 
Speaking of juniors, never has there been more opportunities for golfers in the Midlands. 
Just this week there are several “drive chip and putt” competitions being conducted that will be recognized next week along with the Hootie Summer Series of both the Columbia and Tri-County chapters of the SCJGA. 
From a developmental standpoint, several local golf professionals are collaborating on a program that includes Timberlake Country Club, Riverside Golf center, and GBGA Challenger Score Course. 
Jimmy Koosa, Matt Barton, George Bryan IV, Chase Butler, John Brock, and Angie Duckworth are all local golf professionals, and GolFitness Coaches collaborating in special summer developmental initiative. 
Go to www.growgolfnow.com to learn more about the program.