The summer of 2016 was special for Ryan Maine.
The golfer from Spokane, Washington had just committed to play for Washington State University, his dream school, and was selected to represent Team Washington in the prestigious Junior America's Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico that summer.
Maine finished Junior America's Cup at eight-under-par, besting San Diego's Cameron Sisk by one stroke to earn first place in the individual stroke-play portion of the 54-hole tournament. Maine's stellar performance in Mexico led Team Washington to the event's team championship over Team San Diego.
Recruiting intensified for Maine after his win in Mexico. Some of the nation's top programs began to reach out to in Maine, but he chose to stay loyal and honor his commitment to the Cougars.
"I've always wanted to go to WSU," Maine said, who is now a junior for the Washington State men's golf team.
A typical practice schedule for Maine includes playing nine holes three days per week and 18 holes two days per week. The other two days are dedicated to practicing his short-game and full-swing work.
Golf in the NCAA is a team sport, where teams play with five players in a tournament that typically consists of three 18-hole rounds. The average collegiate golf team carries eight-to-12 players on their roster, meaning that about half of the team doesn't get to compete in the tournaments.
With such limited spots in each tournament, WSU uses stroke-play, choosing the lowest five scores, in practice to determine who earns the spots for each tournament. Usually they play 36-54 holes, according to Maine, but they occasionally play 72.
"Qualifying is competitive, and it takes a lot of work just to earn your spot in the lineup," Maine said.
Golf in the NCAA is split into two seasons, with the first half of the season taking place in the fall, while the latter half is played in the spring. Student-athletes don't get a much time to rest during the school year, so when the summer rolls around, it gives Maine a chance to ease back some on his golf schedule.
You can still find him on the greens during the summer months, as he usually plays in the U.S. Amateur qualifier, the Pacific Northwest Golf Association Men's Amateur, the Washington State Amateur and the Sahalee Players Championship qualifier.
Maine enjoys using the summer break as a time to unwind and take some time off. He spends time with his longtime swing coach Steve Prugh of the Manito Country Club in Spokane.
Maine is considering playing professional golf after he graduates in 2021, but he knows just how competitive it is to make a living on the golf course. He is majoring in finance at WSU's Carson College of Business and sees a career in banking as a more likely option.
"It's really hard to play professional golf, and it gets expensive, too," Maine said.
