LASKER – To be successful requires sacrifice and Drew Pinnix is no stranger to sacrifice.

A standout on the baseball diamond and the golf course at Northeast Academy, Pinnix made the difficult decision to give up baseball his junior year to focus on golf.

The sacrifice paid off as Pinnix, a rising senior, finished tied for fourth at the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association state tournament in Southern Pines this year.

Pinnix shot a 146, two shots over par.

His finish earned Pinnix for a place on the All-State Golf Team.

&uot;I made the decision to try and play golf in college,&uot; Pinnix explained. &uot; With a couple of years before I go to college I wanted to concentrate on golf, get better and get coaches to look at me.

&uot;It was tough (giving up baseball) but I figured it was for the best,&uot; Pinnix added.

After college, &uot;I wouldn’t mind pursing a something at a golf course,&uot; said Pinnix.

&uot;I’d love to be on tour.&uot;

Pinnix’s father Eddie is the golf pro at Beechwood Country Club in Ahoskie.

&uot;I’ve been around the game all my life,&uot; said Drew.

&uot;I’ve been playing since I was five or six years old.&uot;

&uot;He’s put a lot of time in,&uot; said Northeast golf coach Scott Emory.

&uot;I remember seeing Drew 10 years ago at Beechwood trudging along with his golf bag on his back.

&uot;Drew takes the game very seriously,&uot; Emory continued.

&uot;He expects a lot of himself.

He’s always going to remember everything he did wrong and try to get better.&uot;

&uot;It takes a lot of self discipline and practice,&uot; says Pinnix.

&uot;It keeps you grinding to try and get better.&uot;

While Pinnix hasn’t had any formal golf training, he doesn’t look too far when working on his game.

&uot;My dad has been pretty much my only teacher,&uot; he said. &uot; When I get bad swing habits I go to him and he shows me what I need to do.&uot;

Pinnix has continued working on his golf game this summer while also participating in numerous tournaments.

Just a few weeks ago he qualified in the top 13 at the NC-AM, a Carolina Golf Association (CGA) amateur tournament.

Playing at another CGA tournament in Hilton Head, Pinnix shot a 232 and tied for 46th place in a tournament with 146 golfers.

To play in the CGA tournaments, golfers must qualify in the opening rounds.

&uot;There may be 80 people and they might take the top 15,&uot; explained Pinnix.

&uot;I played last year (at Hilton Head) and made the cut so I qualified for this year’s tournament.&uot;

Before going to tournaments, Pinnix tries to have his swing down so he’ll know where the ball will go.

Prior to the tournament start &uot;we play a practice round and I write notes on where I can and can’t hit the ball and try to avoid those areas,&uot; added Pinnix.

During the 2005 season Pinnix hit a 76.2 average and was named Co-MVP of the golf team.

He has played for the Eagles the past three years and was a key player on the 2004 State Championship team.