Grit, practice, and unyielding determination. Ethan MacGregor: Golfer of the Year

Arnold golfer Ethan MacGregor has put in hours to establish himself as a force on the course. A huge part of the sophomore's success was staying dialed in and ultra-focused on improvement. The practice paid off as MacGregor is rising the ranks in the Bay County golf scene.

For all of his efforts, MacGregor was named the Bay County boys Golfer of the Year as voted by coaches around the county.

"It feels good and makes me feel happy that all the practice I put in gets me recognized," MacGregor said.

Every practice MacGregor said he would work time and time again because he has to work for what he wants because it is not handed to him and he has to earn good results.

Girls Xc runner of the year 'I fell in love with running' Bay County girls runner of the year: Margaret Bartlow

Goal scoring race in Bay County Goals Galore: Hill and Smith Dominate Bay County

"One of the things that helped me get better this offseason was playing with people who were better than me and playing with people who are worse than me," MacGregor said. "It is a lot better to learn from them than by yourself."

A tournament in particular where MacGregor knew he jumped a level in his golfing ability was Perdido Bay, where he excelled despite icy conditions.

"The year before it was nice, perfect weather but this year it was freezing cold, which was just some adversity you have to face on the golf course," MacGregor said. "You can't leave so you suck it up and get through it."

MacGregor does not let the pressure and the mental strain get to him on the course as he said his best trait as a golfer is his everlasting will to finish all 18 holes.

"It is a crazy game and I had tons of high-pressure situations where it is close on the scoreboard and I performed well and won," MacGregor said. "You kind of play best in high-pressure situations and fold in low-pressure situations."

Banji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: arnold marlins rising star ethan MacGregor panama city perdido bay bay county golfer of the year