Harriton’s John Bradbeer is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week
A senior co-captain on the Rams’ golf squad, Bradbeer has shot nine-hole rounds of 38, 37, 37 and 33 in his first four golf matches for Harriton this fall. Last year, he was the 11th-ranked golfer in the Central League, based on the season-long statistics kept for every player in the league, making second team all-league. Harriton golf coach Brian Dobak said, “John is passionate about the game, and is always playing in a tournament, which is a coaches’ dream. One of his greatest attributes is his willingness to help others on the team – he’s not a ‘lone ranger.’ He has a lot of knowledge and swing competency which he likes to share with others; and he brings a unique brand of humor, which is good for everybody.” Outside of Harriton, Bradbeer won his last two junior tour tournaments, firing a 72 at Heritage Hills in York on the Philadelphia Section PGA Junior Tour, and shooting a 75-79 at the New Jersey Fall Junior Open at Mountain View Country Club in Trenton, N.J. on the Hurricane Junior Tour.
Q: What do you think has been your best round of golf for Harriton this fall, and what was the key to your round?
A: I shot 37 at Concord Country Club, one over par, and it was a windy day on a course with tough pin positions – you couldn’t go after the pins without getting into a lot of trouble if you missed the green. My lag putting was really good that day.
Q: After three months of golf lockdown, you had some strong finishes in tournaments this summer. What was the biggest challenge for you in keeping your game in shape during the lockdown, and how did you meet that challenge?
A: It was a great opportunity for me to work on the technical side of my game. With my iPod, I took videos of my swing and my putting stroke, and was able to understand why I hit the shots I did – I became more technically proficient. Also I was able to work out physically, to hit the ball further. After hitting balls into a net for three months, though, it was weird watching hitting the ball and watching it fly (laughs).
Q: What part of your game do you consider strongest? What aspect of your game are you working on the most currently?
A: I think my putting is my strength – it’s something I’ve really worked on. From watching high-level juniors in tournaments, the two things I notice they have in common is they hit the ball far – I can work out in the gym for that – and their wedges are very dialed in inside 100 yards – they can hit it exactly 74 yards, for example, if they need to. So I’m particularly working on hitting the ball further and on my wedge play.
Q: What is your favorite club and why?
A: My 60 degree wedge is my favorite club – I love chipping.
Q: What golf mentors have been particularly influential to you?
A: My swing coach, Brian Quinn.
Q: What is your favorite hole at your home course and why?
A: The 16th hole at Merion East – it’s a gorgeous hole. I don’t know why, but I birdie it a lot.
Q: What do you think you would like to major in at college?
A: Psychology – I took my first psychology course at Harriton as a junior and it was fascinating.
Fun facts – John Bradbeer
Favorite book: The Greatest Game Ever Played.
Favorite author: Harlan Coben.
Favorite TV show: You.
Favorite movie: Tin Cup.
Favorite athlete: Fletcher Cox.
Favorite pre-round pump-up song: Calm playlist on Spotify.
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite place to visit: Florida.
Favorite pre-round meal: Bacon and fruit smoothie.
Person I most admire: “My Dad.”
(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 present click here
