Rovonta Young had himself a round to remember.
The 26-year-old Alabama A&M product played the back nine at the King & Bear course in St. Augustine, Florida, to the tune of 5-under 31, ultimately signing for a final-round 6-under 66 to earn his first professional victory at the APGA Tour’s event at World Golf Village.
Young finished at 4-under for the tournament, one shot clear of both Davin White and Landon Lyons after making a 12-foot birdie putt on his final hole. Wyatt Worthington II and Nyasha Mauchaza finished T-4 at 2 under.
“First professional win since I turned pro in 2018,” said Young, 26, who overcame a six-shot deficit after the first round. “It’s a big hurdle. I’m glad I overcame it today. It’s been my dream since I was 3 years old to be BCSP Notes on the PGA TOUR,” he added.
“The conditions today were perfect and I knew I could take advantage,” said Young after the win. “I’ve been working on the mental part of my game with a coach and I’ve gained confidence. The APGA Tour is providing a great opportunity for HBCU players like me by providing greater access. The caliber of golf courses and players is greatly improved since I started in 2018.”
Former Jackson State golfer Tim O’Neal finished tied seventh shooting 73-71 – 144. Bethune-Cookman product Willie Mack III tied for tenth 68-77 – 145. Mack was the first-round co-leader.
Young has been on the developmental tour for minority golfers, like O’Neal, Kamaiu Johnson and Mack III, for four years. This year, Young has finished sixth in both the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open Invitational and the APGA Tour Black History Month Classic.
Young, who still lives in Huntsville, Alabama where he went to school, has not been one of the APGA headliners, and his first victory only underlines the tour’s depth. He felt like he was underachieving and reached a turning point at an APGA tournament at TPC Deere Run last year, where he finished well back. Seeking a mental coach, he sought a referral from his grandfather, Charles Herring, who raised him and got him started in the game.
Enter Dr. Richard Trammel, a sports psychologist from Birmingham who is a high-level golfer himself and has worked with players on the Korn Ferry Tour. It clicked immediately. Their work paid off Tuesday as Young went birdie, birdie, eagle, birdie on holes 11-14 to pull away.
“He’s helped me tremendously, from the first session,” said Young, who grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, California. “I feel as if I have the firepower, I have the accuracy, and I have the putting. It’s just the six inches between my ears. Just handling the pressure and the moment.”
Up next, the APGA Tour heads to Sin City for the APGA Tour Las Vegas at TPC Las Vegas, April 11-13, and then TPC Scottsdale for the APGA Tour Scottsdale, April 18-20.