Episcopal Academy golfer Shane Lawler is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week
A senior, Lawler was a first team All Inter-Ac golfer last fall and was part of the Churchmens’ first-place team at the 2019 PAISAA state championship, a first for EA golf. After three months of golf lockdown last spring, Lawler posted three top 10 finishes in Philadelphia Junior Tour events in June and was 12th at the Philadelphia Boys Junior PGA Championship. At the GAP Junior Boys’ Championship, he qualified for the championship flight of match play and advanced to the quarterfinals, the best finish by an EA golfer since 2012. Lawler also won the Chester Valley Golf Club Men’s Championship. In the final 36-hole championship match, Lawler was 6 up with 5 to go to become the youngest men’s champion in club history. He is now ranked in the top 500 junior golfers nationally in the AJGA Rolex Rankings and the Golfweek Sagarin Rankings. Lawler also plays varsity baseball for EA.
Q: What is your most vivid memory of the PAISAA state tournament last fall? Tell us a little about your round – what was working particularly well for you that day?
A: My best memory was the 8th hole, a par 3 at Brookside. I hit my tee shot about three feet from the green and tapped in for birdie. My short game was great that day. I was able to get up and down around the greens several times to save par.
Q: What was the biggest challenge for you in keeping your game in shape during the lockdown?
A: I would say that stamina was the hardest challenge. It is hard to mimic walking and playing 18 or 36 holes carrying your own bag. I practiced my swing indoors but couldn’t wait to get back on the course.
Q: You became the youngest men’s club champion at Chester Valley Golf Club, defeating the defending club champion with five holes to go. Was that your best round of the year? What was particularly working well for you that day?
A: It wasn’t my best round of the year. I had that at the GAP Junior Boy’s Championship in June. For the Men’s Club Championship at Chester Valley, my putting worked well for me. I was making all my putts within 5-8 feet.
Q: What part of your game do you consider strongest? What aspect of your game are you working on the most currently?
A: The strongest part of my game is my short game – putting and chipping. I’m working on getting more distance off the tee.
Q: What is your favorite club and why – can you give specs? What is your favorite golf ball and why?
A: My favorite club is my Callaway Apex three iron. It is the most consistent club in my bag. I really like Taylor Made TPX5 for balls.
Q: What golf mentors have been particularly influential to you? What has been the most important thing you have learned from each of them?
A: My swing coach, John Dunigan, has really helped my game over the last several years with a lot of focus on consistency and precision. We have spent a lot of time on my putting stroke, now one of the strongest parts of my game.
Q: What is your favorite hole at your home course, Chester Valley, and why?
A: I really like the 12th hole at Chester Valley, an uphill par 4. The fairway is tight and there is a lot of elevation so there’s not a lot of room for errors.
Q: What is your favorite golf course and why?
A: Our EA varsity golf team played PGA National Golf Course in Orlando last fall. It is one of the hardest courses I have played, and I always like a challenging course.
Q: Who is your favorite golfer and why? Is there a golfer whose game you try to pattern your game after?
A: Tiger Woods is my favorite golfer. He is always fun to watch even if he isn’t playing his best. I love his determination and you can never count him out. I also admire Jason Day who has one of the best short games in golf.
Q: What do you think you would like to major in at college? Is there a particular career field that interests you at the present time?
A: I am planning to major in Computer Science and Business. I would like to pursue a career in a technology related field.
Fun facts – Shane Lawler
Favorite TV show: Sportscenter.
Favorite movie: The Game.
Favorite athlete: LeBron James.
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite place to visit: Turks & Caicos.
Favorite pre-round meal: BLT from Wawa.
Person you most admire, and why: “My uncle, Brad, was a high school athlete and had a spinal cord injury when he was my age (17). Despite a long recovery and physical challenges, he remained positive, was the top of his class in college and business school and is very successful in business today. He is pretty fun to play Xbox with too.”
Family members: parents (Tim Lawler and Amy Loftus), brother (EA student Reid Lawler), dog Reagan.
(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)
To view a gallery of the Main Line Boys Athletes of the Week from 2013 to date click here
