Gio DIfazio

In 2011 Tommy Stirling and The SMCC Golf Team, placed SMCC in the national spotlight by winning numerous tournaments and finishing two golfers among the top five in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Golf Tournament. Alex McFarlane of Cape Elizabeth finished 4 over par tied for fifth place, but Tommy Stirling, the Gorham, Maine native, ran away from the field with a score of four under par over the course of the two day tournament.

After finishing among the top two in the Class A State qualifier in high school his junior and senior year, Tommy decided to take his talents to Southern Maine Community College, to jumpstart the golf program, and hopefully gain the attention of college scouts. Somehow, Tommy flew under the radar, coming out of high school. ”The reason that I came to SMCC was to play golf.”

After finishing as an All-American in 2010, 2011 brought forth the most illustrious season in SMCC Golf history, with numerous “Player of the Week” awards and tournament victories.

Unbeknownst to Tommy, he and McFarlane had qualified for the national championship. “We didn’t know that we even qualified.” Tommy mentioned to this sports reporter. After Coach Richards called Tommy into his office, Tommy got news that he and Alex qualified for the National Championship, in which Tommy handled his competition with ease shooting a 68 on day one, and a 72 on the second day, capturing the victory at The Penn State University Blue Course.

After gaining exposure at the community college level, and making his name on the college circuit, Tommy was recruited by the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Bulldogs. On April 11, 2012 Tommy signed his letter of intent here, at the Hub Gymnasium to attend SWOSU on a full scholarship.

Tommy made the team as the number 4 golfer his junior year and quickly saw success at the next level. As the Bulldogs number four golfer, Tommy gained valuable experience, making the jump from the junior college level, to the division two level which is highly saturated with talent.

After finishing his junior season, Tommy made an impression with the college golf community, his senior year and shot a 74 in his final college event at The Strawberry Creek Super Regional Tournament in Eureka, Missouri.

A marketing major, Tommy knows consistency inside and outside of the classroom. Stirling is as quick to help with your math homework, as he is to challenge you at a game of ping-pong. It is impossible to question the durability, or consistency that comes with not missing a single event in four years of competition, and Tommy did just that. After stepping into the top slot his senior year, and providing senior leadership to the Bulldogs squad, Tommy was named An All-GAC honorable mention.

The experience that Tommy gained as an ace at SWOSU was monumental in fueling his drive to become a successful golfer at the professional level. After graduating with a marketing degree in 2014 Tommy had to make his name as an amateur and moved to Sarasota, Florida.

“I played strong as an amateur too.” I think that it’s safe to say that Stirling did play strong as an amateur considering that he is currently playing in The West Florida Golf Tour. These “mini tours” as Tommy goes on to call them, are a great way to start a pro golf career and gain exposure.

The struggle is real though, as Tommy states that he’s working four jobs, all while trying to cut strokes off his score. “I’m grinding it out right now with four jobs….I’m working on getting full sponsorship to I can focus my time on golf.”

TPC Prestancia is among the nation’s premier golf courses. Tommy is working in outside services at TPC Prestancia, which offers Tommy a chance to hone his game, as well as make a name for himself.

Attracting sponsorships from golf companies will be the key step in Tommy’s young career. It’s hard to live off of the small paychecks that are earned on weekend tournaments, but coupled with a sponsorship he can focus all of his time on honing his craft.

“It’s not just weekend golf.” Tommy cuts right to the point. Every time he steps on the links is not an opportunity to make a new acquaintance, and to improve his golf game in the ultra competitive world of professional golf. The change in competitive atmosphere was quickly apparent to Tommy after he moved to Florida, as he had to dedicate time to make the jump from Am to pro. “You really have to hack it to be good.” Tommy has made the past 3 out of six cuts in pro tournaments and will be hoping for a successful spring in the West Florida Golf Tour.” “I’ve paid my dues, I’m ready to make some money.”

Tommy will be playing in Maine this summer in professional events. Among them the Maine Open to be hosted by the Augusta Country Club in Augusta, Maine. The tournament is scheduled for July 24-26. Please come out and support Mr. Stirling in following his dream.