East County Athlete of the Week: Henry Burbee

Henry Burbee is a junior on the Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team. Burbee had a scoring average of 74 in 2022 and is expected to be one of the team's top golfers in 2023 alongside junior Parker Severs. Burbee and the Mustangs kick off their regular season schedule with the John Ryan Invitational, held Aug. 21 at Capri Isles Golf Course in Venice. 

When did you start playing golf?

When I was 7. My dad (Joe Burbee) was a golf pro, a teaching pro, and he took my brother (Jack Burbee) and I onto the driving range and a few courses. 

What is the appeal to you?

When I’m playing alone, I enjoy having it be me, myself and I out there. Everything is up to me, good or bad. But I also like high school golf where everyone has to work together to win. And I just like to compete. 

What is your best skill?

Driving the golf ball. That has always been a strong suit of mine. Right now I am driving the ball around 300 yards on average. 

What have you been working to improve?

A lot of putting. When I play in tournaments I keep stats on an app called Decade, and the app has been telling me I need to improve my speed on putts. I'm either leaving it too short or too long. I need to be in the middle. I also use an app called AimPoint to help with my putting accuracy.

What is your favorite memory?

Man, I have a lot of memories. It's probably playing Kiawa Island Golf Resort (in Kiawah Island, South Carolina) with my brother and my dad in 2020, around Christmas time. We were there right before it hosted the 2021 PGA Championship. Phil Mickelson won it, and we were watching it and comparing how we approached the course with how the pros did it. 

What are your 2023 goals?

As a team our goal to making it to the state tournament again. Winning our district and regional tournaments to get there would be cool. Also, it might be a long shot, but I want an even par scoring average this year.

What is your favorite food?

Sushi. I'll eat it from anywhere.

What is your favorite TV show?

It has to be "Suits." I'm watching it for second time through right now. 

What is your favorite school subject?

Biology. I have always understood it well. 

What are your hobbies?

I hang out with friends a lot. I started playing poker a lot this summer as well, and I like to go fishing here and there. 

Which superpower would you pick?

That's tough. Can I choose a power that lets me make every putt inside of 10 feet?

What is the best advice you have received?

I have a mental performance coach named Bill Nelson. He tells me to always stay in the moment. It used to be that when I had the lead in a tournament, I would think ahead to winning and getting a trophy. I didn’t stay present, and I would lose because of that. Now I'm more focused. 

Finish this sentence: "Henry Burbee is …"

Ambitious. I’m always working hard on and off the course to achieve my goals.