Up to par: Dunkirk golfer qualifies for Under Armour Nationals
Submitted Photos Dunkirk junior golfer Robert Kozlowski has qualified for the Under Armour Summer World Championships.
Robert Kozlowski, 16, competed in the Under Armour Junior Winter Nationals in February.
Submitted Photos Dunkirk junior golfer Robert Kozlowski has qualified for the Under Armour Summer World Championships.
Robert Kozlowski, 16, competed in the Under Armour Junior Winter Nationals in February.
Trending
Just three years of competitive golf was enough to earn Robert Kozlowski a trip to Florida to compete on a national stage. Now, he has a chance to do it again this summer at the Under Armour Summer World Championships.
Earlier this year, Kozlowski, 16, competed in the Under Armour Junior Winter Nationals on Feb. 18 to 19 in Destin, Fla. Out of 88 golfers invited to compete in the age group of 15-18, Kozlowski finished tied for 18th.
"It was fun, I didn't know what to expect at first," Kozlowski said. "The first day was really cold, about 30 degrees, which I wasn't expecting. Everybody's scores were higher because of the conditions."
Still, among the youngest in the age range, with no competitive golf experience before his freshman year of high school, Kozlowski was pleased with his showing.
"I did better than I thought," Kozlowski said. "It's nice to see that I can play with the best golfers in the country."
Kozlowski's finish this winter qualified him for the Under Armour Summer World Championships, which will be held at the Reunion Resort just outside Orlando, Fla., from July 19 to 23.
Kozlowski will travel back to Florida to compete again after finishing his junior year of competition on the Dunkirk Marauders varsity golf team, coached by Adam Woelfle. While training with the Marauders, along with tournaments with the Hurricane Circuit and the Western New York PGA, Kozlowski has noticed a big improvement over the years.
"I have improved a lot since the first year, ninth grade was my first year playing golf competitively," Kozlowski said. "Seeing that improvement is pretty cool. ... I'm always doing something with golf every single day."
Kozlowski thanked his parents for supporting his athletic career, which also includes periodic training sessions with former LPGA golfer Cindy Miller, who is based near Buffalo. Miller is a recipient of the LPGA National Teacher of the Year honor.
"It's nice having somebody that's been there and done that in golf. That definitely helps a lot," Kozlowski said.
As Kozlowski moves forward in his athletic career, he hopes to play golf collegiately. He has already been in contact with Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa. He is on track to graduate in the spring of 2024.