The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Golfer James Anstiss takes home LGA Amateur Championship

    New Zealand native, junior James Anstiss took home the LGA Amateur Championship in June with a 9-under-par 279 at Carter Plantation in Springfield, Louisiana. Along with this win, he was chosen for the All-Southland Conference first team, All-Louisiana second team, Southland Conference Spring Commissioners Honor Roll and the Southland Conference All-Academic.

    New Zealand native, junior James Anstiss took home the LGA Amateur Championship in June with a 9-under-par 279 at Carter Plantation in Springfield, Louisiana. Along with this win, he was chosen for the All-Southland Conference first team, All-Louisiana second team, Southland Conference Spring Commissioners Honor Roll and the Southland Conference All-Academic. 
    Le Souvenir/Tamara Alexandar

    Coming to play golf from New Zealand, James Anstiss is a standout with numerous awards and a love for golf.

    Anstiss and his family are from Queenstown which is located in south central New Zealand. Anstiss is the oldest son of Julie and Craig Anstiss. He has three siblings; a sister, Hanna, and two brothers, Logan and Troy. 

    “My whole family is very fit, active and supportive of everything I do,” said junior finance major Anstiss. 

    Anstiss moved to Louisiana just two years ago. What Anstiss has noticed about living here is the big difference from his hometown. 

    “There is a big culture difference between the two as well as physical appearance,” said Anstiss. “Queenstown is located in the basin on mountains, so we have several hills and mountains very close, as well as a lake and many other picturesque features. New Zealand is very well known for its scenery and beautiful green country.”  

    Compared to Queenstown, Anstiss finds Louisiana lacks in physical beauty, but he was quick to say that there is something better than the land.

    “Louisiana is very flat, boring and doesn’t have near as much beauty,” said Anstiss. “The way people from Louisiana treat and host people, however, is the most incredible thing I have ever seen. Everyone is so welcoming and nice. The hospitality of people here is next to nothing.”

    Anstiss visits his home of New Zealand, but also misses it.

    “At the moment, I am going back once a year for Christmas,” said Anstiss. “I stay the summer in America to play in all the big amateur golf events. We travel so much and get to visit all these cool places around the U.S. so that makes it easier.”

    Unlike some athletes, Anstiss did not find his love for golf until he became a teenager.

    “I was about fourteen or fifteen when I started playing,” said Anstiss. “I played basically every sport growing up so I had a bit of natural athleticism going into it.”

    Going into golf, Anstiss had friends who played that inspired him and quickly got him hooked on the sport.

    “A couple of my mates played and asked me to come down and join,” said Anstiss. “I couldn’t get enough of it. The challenge and the mental pressure golf provides was the most I had got from any other sport. The feeling of success is always great too.” 

    Anstiss played golf in high school and was named Sports Performer of the Year. When asked to play for the university, he jumped at the opportunity. 

    “The old coach, Tim Baldwin, offered me a scholarship to come and play here,” said Anstiss. “It provided me with a whole new opportunity to come and compete in the states, and I like to have change in my life.”

    One of his favorite things about playing for the university is the support he receives.

    “The ability to play an individual sport as a team,” said Anstiss. “It’s great to have the support from all your team members as well as the friendship.”

    During his time at the university Anstiss has accumulated many awards. This year he has earned a spot on the All-Louisiana second team, has been selected for the All-Southland Conference first team, Southland Conference All-Academic and the Southland Conference Spring Commissioners Honor Roll. Adding another award to the list, Anstiss won the 97th Louisiana Golf Association Amateur Championship on Sunday, Jun. 12. 

    “I had been working so hard on my game and to finally get my first win in the U.S. as my home amateur was awesome,” said Anstiss. “Great feeling to win in the state, which I feel like is my new home. The support from everyone in Louisiana that week was awesome.”

    This is Anstiss’ second year as a part of the golf team and the team received a new coach. Coach Jake Narro joined the team for the first time last season and Anstiss has nothing negative to say about him.

    “Coach Narro has been great,” said Anstiss. “He is a great asset to our team. It is so nice to be able to call our coach a great friend. He is very supportive of everything we do and listens to all of our opinions. He has done a great job in his first year and I’m sure will continue to get better. He is also a very handy golfer and there is nothing worse than losing to him on the course, which happens every now and then. He keeps us motivated.”

    Along with keeping him motivated, Anstiss shares some advice that has helped him not only as a golfer, but a student.

    “The advice he will quite often give is have balance,” said Anstiss. “He doesn’t want to see us putting full effort into just one aspect of our lives. He likes to see us plan our time well. We spend good amounts of time practicing as well as getting our schoolwork done. Also, he will tell us it is important to take time off both and have some social time as this can be important so you don’t get sick of golf or studying.”

    Narro speaks highly of Anstiss and believes he is a great leader to the team.

    “He loves to practice,” said Narro. “He loves to work out in the gym. He is an unbelievable student. He is one of those kids you don’t have to make sure they are doing what they are supposed to be doing and I really appreciate that. He is also assumed a great leadership role on the team and he takes it seriously.”  

    Anstiss has been given great advice and wants to share what he thinks will help future golfers or athletes.

    “Enjoy all the hard work you put into your craft,” said Anstiss. “Otherwise there is no point in doing it.”

     
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