Athlete Spotlight: James Wood Golfer Zach DeNitto

Posted: September 1, 2015

James Wood High School 17-year-old senior

Sport: Golf

Parents: Bob and Debbie DeNitto Hometown: Winchester

What do you love about golf: It is an individual sport, so I do like how it’s me who determines how I play. But it’s good I can contribute to my team whenever I do play well.

Most memorable moment in golf: Probably when I got my first eagle. I was down in Florida with my grandpa this winter, and he saw me get it, so that was pretty significant for me. It was a short par-5, about 450 yards. I was using rental clubs, which made it difficult, but I was able to hit a solid drive down the middle (240 yards), a good approach shot with a five hybrid, and then I made a nice 20-footer for eagle.

Most embarrassing moment in golf: My sophomore year we had just finished practice, and we used to break it out at the end [by shouting in unison]. Jake Akeley asked me to do it — one, two, three, golf team! As soon as I said ‘golf team’ my voice cracked really bad, and everybody just started laughing.

Three people you can have dinner with, dead or alive: Jerry Seinfeld; I watch Seinfeld a lot and I’m a huge fan of that show. Derek Jeter; I’m a big Yankee fan and always admired him throughout his career. Bubba Watson; I’m a lefty just like him, and I like to see him hit 300 yards every time.

If you were stranded on an island, what’s the one thing you’d want to have with you: My golf clubs, so I could practice something, and keep my mind off the fact that I’m stranded.

Favorite teacher: Apple Pie Ridge fifth grade teacher [Michael] Mowchan. He made class a lot more fun. We played a lot of games that helped me remember stuff, and I still remember stuff that he taught me to this day.

Favorite athlete: Derek Jeter

Favorite sports team: New York Yankees

Best live sporting event you’ve been to: I went to the Quicken Loans [PGA tournament] first day this year [in Gainesville, Va.]. That was my first professional golf event, and it was really cool to watch them up close and see the shot process [pros] take. It’s on such an advanced level.

Favorite movie: “Moneyball”

Favorite book: “SeinLanguage” by Jerry Seinfeld.

Favorite song: “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin

Plans after high school: I want to study sports marketing at a four-year college. I’ve taken two sports marketing classes. I’ve always been a fan of sports, so to able to work in that field interests me. The day-to-day with things like advertisements makes such a big impact. And it’d be cool to play club golf in college.

— Compiled by Robert Niedzwiecki