Kippen’s rise to the top

Kippen’s rise to the top

A champion in the making: Drew Kippen takes his shot at a state title

By Ryan Mosher

CICERO, N.Y. (March 10, 2024) — Cicero North-Syracuse High School’s sophomore star Drew Kippen is looking forward to the Boys golf state tournament run by New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA).

In his third season on the varsity golf team, Kippen finished his sophomore regular season with an average score of 36.7 strokes over 13 matches. Kippen’s average led his team by 1.9 strokes.

This season was an improvement from his first two seasons. His freshman year he averaged a score of 38.7, and his eighth-grade year he averaged a score of 39.7.

Kippen was able to fine-tune and improve his game. His 36.7 stroke average from the 2023 school season was a full two stroke improvement from the prior season.

“Short game and putting, I really worked a lot on that…that’s what improved the most for me.” Kippen said.

Preparations for the state tournament are more difficult in Central New York when compared to warmer areas. Golf courses close in October and the weather dictates when they are re-opened. The weather conditions for most of the spring are rain and snow. This leaves golfers in a tricky spot, as they have less time to properly prepare.

“No right now, it’s a little wet outside, but I do have a simulator in the house, so I’ve just been practicing some certain swing thoughts, trying to get ready for May.” Kippen said on his preparations for the state tournament.

When asked about his favorite golf course that isn’t his home course, Kippen said “I’d have to say Cortland Country Club (CCC), it’s nice and tight, but if you can hit the ball in the fairway, then you can score well.”

During his time on the CNY PGA Junior Tour in 2023, Kippen competed in the Boys 14-15 age group. The Cicero, N.Y native played his way to a third-place finish at CCC. Kippen shot a 76, which is four over par, to finish seven shots behind the winner.

Kippen also competed at CCC in 2022 and came out with the same result. He shot a 76 and finished in third, but this time he only finished four shots behind the winner.

Kippen was able to pick up three victories while playing in the Boys 14-15 age group. His first two victories came in the 2022 tour season, and his third victory came a year later.

Kippen’s lone victory in 2023 came at Lakeshore 1860 where he won while finishing with a score of 75, three shots over par.

The two victories during his 2022 campaign came at Highland Park and Sunset Ridge Golf Club. At Highland Park, Kippen shot an 84, 13 strokes over par. Kippen took advantage of a small field and a course with a high slope rating i.e., how much the elevation changes on the course.

At the Sunset Ridge Golf Club, Kippen shot an 82, 10 strokes over par. Even though he finished 10 strokes over par, Kippen won by a commanding eight strokes.

With his two victories and consistent play, Kippen was able to capture the 2022 Player of the Year for the Boys 14-15 age group.

Kippen has been playing golf ever since he could pick up a club. His parents helped drive him to become the golfer he is today.

“I don’t hear the end of it a lot, it’s a lot of trash talk, one of the biggest goals when I play is to beat them, as long as I can do that, I have a chance with anybody.” Kippen said about the competitiveness between him and his parents, Jennifer and Russ Kippen.

His mother played for one year at the College of Charleston on a Division Ⅰ scholarship.

While his father didn’t play at the collegiate level, Russ is better than a scratch golfer with a +2 handicap. He plays the majority of his golf at Rogues Roost in Chittenango, N.Y where he has been a member for the last several years.

Their family golf outings are always competitive, and Kippen believes that if he can beat them, then he believes he has a chance to beat anyone on the CNY PGA Junior Tour and in the NYSPHSAA.

“Short term I’m just trying to place good enough in States and shoot some good scores, long term I want to play college golf and eventually maybe try some pro golf, but if that doesn’t work out then I just want to teach people the game and grow it just a little bit.” Kippen said about his short and long-term goals in golf.

Whether it is on the course or in the pro shop, Drew Kippen is a name to look out for in the world of golf.