< Previous100 OLYMPIC SPORTS UPDATE: MEN’S GOLF AUBURNTIGERS.COM Golf, for Auburn current sophomore Jackson Koivun, was one of many sports he played as a kid. “I started playing golf when I was really young but growing up, I played all the sports: football and basketball,” he said. “I think it helped me become an athlete.” When Jackson’s growth spurt didn’t match those of his peers, he focused on golf. “I started getting a little too small for football and basketball,” he said. “I decided golf was the best option. I was also probably a little better at golf than anything else. That was around eighth grade. Ever since then, it’s been my sole focus and what I do every day.” Koivun’s focus and dedication helped him develop into the American Junior Golf Association’s No. 1 recruit in the class of 2023, opening doors to the college of his choice. “He came to Auburn, and he saw the community, our town and our facilities, and he fell in love with it,” Auburn coach Nick Clinard said. “We felt really good about him. I think his parents felt really good about us and what Auburn had to offer, and I think it sold itself.” Even with his stellar junior golf resume, Koivun still needed time to adjust. Early last year, nervous about making the travel roster, he met with his head coach. “’Dude, you’re one of the best players in the country. Just go play,’” Clinard told Koivun. “I said, ‘Listen, if the van is cranked, there’s probably a good chance you’re going to be in it.’” In April, Koivun won medalist honors at the SEC Championship, beating the runner-up by six strokes. “He’s highly mature, highly competitive. He can flat-out play,” Clinard said. “He’s got bigger things on his list that he wants to accomplish.” After beating Vanderbilt to claim the conference crown, the Tigers celebrated at Toomer’s Corner. “It’s awesome. Another wave of support. It’s helping us get better,” said Koivun, who was named SEC Freshman of the Year and SEC Player of the Year. “Winning SECs was awesome and it’s a great experience for all of us, but now it’s in the past and we have to build off of that going into nationals.” That they did, storming to the front by shooting 20-under-par on the final round to win the Baton Rouge Regional in mid-May. Koivun and fellow freshman Josiah Gilbert finished fifth in the regional, behind teammate Brendan Valdes, who was second. In a hyper-individual sport, college golf allows participants to be part of a team. “The more connected you are, the more committed you are,” Clinard said. Koivun celebrated his 19th birthday one day before he and the Tigers teed off in the first round at the Omni La Costa Champions Course, the final tournament in an epic freshman season. “It’s gone by really fast,” Koivun said. “It’s been a great experience all year. You can always talk about winning a national championship but once you get there you have to perform.” Perform they did. Koivun finished second individually after four rounds of stroke play to help his team advance to match play, where Auburn defeated Virginia in the quarterfinals and Ohio State in the semifinals, with Jackson clinching the Tigers’ ticket to the final by winning his match on the 21st hole. The next day, he did it again, chipping in on No. 14 to win his match 5 & 4 to record Auburn’s first point in a 3-2 victory over Florida State. “I was just happy to be part of it,” said Koivun, holding his championship trophy after helping Auburn win its seventh straight tournament and 10th of the season. “I was just trying to make up and down and was lucky enough to hit the flag and go in.” With team success came even more individual accolades. Koivun became the first golfer in history to sweep the three national player of the year awards – the Haskins, the Hogan and the Nicklaus – and the Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman of the Year Award in the same season. “It’s been a whirlwind of emotions,” he said. “There’s a lot of awards I’ve collected but this one right here is definitely the biggest one.” OLYMPIC SPORTS UPDATE: MEN’S GOLF KING KOIVUN: FRESHMAN PHENOM LEADS AUBURN TO FIRST NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPYellaWood ® brand pressure treated pine stands unrivaled in providing the best available protection against rot, fungal decay and termite attack. Enjoy the uncompromising beauty of a backyard made with high quality natural wood products from YellaWood ® brand pressure treated pine. Visit yellawood.com for more information. THE BEST IS ALWAYS IN DEM A ND . YellaWood® brand pressure treated products are treated with preservatives (the “Preservatives”) and preservative methods, and technologies of unrelated third parties. 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Auburn Sports Properties is the exclusive marketer and producer of Auburn sports programming such as radio and television broadcasts, corporate hospitality, in-venue signage, social media integration, promotional activities, and intellectual property rights. Advertisers and marketers with a statewide, regional, or na- tional interest can utilize Auburn Sports Properties as a “one stop shop” for the following: n Statewide & Regional Radio Network n Statewide & Regional Television n Stadium & Arena Signage n Publications n Promotional Rights n Coaches Endorsements n Event Marketing & Sponsorship n Digital Strategy The Auburn Sports Network is the radio division of Auburn Sports Properties and provides coverage throughout the state of Alabama and portions of Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Mississippi with its almost 50 station radio network. 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