Sam Horsfield

Young Sam started playing golf when he was 4 ½ years old here at Highlands Reserve Golf Club. In his first ever round he shot a 162 from the green tees. His first round really sparked an interest in playing and he wanted to continue. He went out every day with his dad and just practiced on the range and the golf course. Several of the staff at Highlands Reserve noticed how good his natural swing was and suggested he try playing in a local tournament. At 6 1/2 years old, he competed in his first event where he shot a 42 and finished 2nd in the event.

This was only the beginning for the young lad. Sam has played in many tournaments both locally and nationally since then. He is currently ranked #1 in the USA for his graduation year of 2015. In 2009, Sam played over 500 tournament holes and finished 7 under for the year! Sam truly believes he has achieved the #1 spot through hard work and dedication. He is not afraid to try any kind of shot that the game may demand. He also practices every day at Highlands Reserve whether it is on the range, on the course or beating our guests and professional staff on the putting green.

At age 11, Sam set the course record at Highlands Reserve on the forward tees with a score of 62. This past May of 2010, Sam set the new record for the men's tees shooting an unbelievable score of 59, a score set at the age of 13! He still has his sights set on clinching the championship tee record as well and recently came close firing a 65, making birdie on six out of the last nine holes! One of the most recent highlights of his golfing career include defeating PGA Tour/Ryder Cup player Ian Poulter in a 9-hole match at Poulter's home course, Lake Nona Country Club. Sam has also had the pleasure of playing rounds with European Tour player Pablo Martin, former LPGA player Johanna Head and current LPGA Tour player Christina Kim, all pictured below.

Even with a rigorous tournament and practice schedule, playing in other sports, and trying to remember Sam also regularly gives back to the community by supporting the club during charity events in beat the pro contests which raise money for local charities. Recently, Sam helped Highlands Reserve raise over $2,000 for the Sunshine Foundation, a local group that grants wishes for terminally ill children and their families.

In addition to helping the Sunshine Foundation, two years ago Sam met a man named Randy and helped him in a way that he will remember for the rest of his life. Many years ago, Randy was in an accident which sadly left him paralyzed from the waist down. Before the accident, Randy was an avid golfer and it had always been his dream to find a way to get back to the game. While vacationing in our area, randy came into the pro shop to enquire whether anyone at Highlands Reserve could take him out to try and play a round of golf. Purely by chance, Sam was in the golf shop with his father and volunteered to take Randy out to play. Sam’s father, Tony Horsfield, removed the handle from the passenger side of the seat and set the cart up so that Randy could rotate in and out of the cart, making his golf swing while staying seated. He even had Sam hang on to his belt to stabilize him. With that, the three headed out for their round of golf, Randy hitting all of the shots to the green, and Sam making all of his putts for him. Randy was so happy to reach his goal and so appreciative of Sam and his father, that he continues to return to Highlands Reserve each year where the two enjoy their leisurely rounds of golf. Randy has even made it out to some of Sam’s tournaments to join his cheering section. They have become great friends and golfing buddies.

Sam is truly an amazing young man who has had immense support from his family, friends and the family here at Highlands Reserve. Even with all of his skill and accomplishments, he still remains humble and continues to impress all that cross his path. We are very proud to have him as part of the Highlands Reserve family and we continue to wish him all of the success that he deserves.