With the golf world watching, Artemis junior Tyler Watts captured the runner-up title at the 76th 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship held July 22-24 at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomsfield Hills, Michigan.
“I was disappointed a little, of course, but I had a great week.I played some solid golf against some of the best junior golfers in the world,” Tyler said. “I like to win, but I know that’s not going to happen every tournament – that’s just the game of golf.”
This was not the end for Watts as he continues his tour with the American Junior Golf Association this fall and spring.
“One word sums it up – nonstop. I play or practice golf every day,” Tyler said. “Playing golf as a junior and amateur golfer means I have to travel to compete in golf tournaments all over the US and sometimes even to other countries.”
Tyler was selected to play in the 2024 Junior President’s Cup at Le club Laval-sur-le-Lac in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in a few weeks. The event is organized by the American Junior Golf Association and the PGA Tour.
“It’s a team match-play competition featuring 24 of the world’s top junior boys (12 US Team players vs. 12 International Team players) that takes place days before the start of the PGA Presidents Cup,” Tyler said.
Due to his busy travel itinerary, Tyler transferred to Artemis from Grissom High School in order to have more flexibility in his educational schedule. And according to Watts, Artemis is serving the purpose well.
“It allows me the flexibility to do my courses and assignments whenever and wherever I may be each week,” Tyler said. “The Artemis staff and teachers have been available and helpful whenever I have questions or need assistance with any of my courses or assignments.”
Tyler understands that online school is like golf–one must be disciplined and establish a routine in order to be successful.
“Whether at home or on the road – I try to stick to a routine. Classes, and coursework, exercise, eat, practice, and or play golf… sleep,” Tyler said. “Sometimes the order gets shuffled around a bit and sometimes there’s simply not enough time to do classes or course work but that’s why Artemis Virtual Academy is the best fit for me. If I know I am going to be on the course all day playing in a tournament, I can work ahead and cover those assignments instead of falling behind.”
Tyler’s mother, Tina, sees Artemis as the perfect option for her son and recommends it for other students, whose life for whatever reason does not fit into a traditional school schedule or environment.
“We are so grateful that Huntsville City Schools created a virtual academy,” Tina said. “Artemis gave us the flexibility our family needed while providing Tyler with a few additional skills like self-discipline, time management and focus needed for success in college or a career.”