East County Athlete of the Week: Jordan Brown

Jordan Brown, 15, is a Lakewood Ranch resident and a rising sophomore boys golfer at IMG Academy. Brown has three top-five finishes in Florida Junior Tour events in 2023, including a third-place finish (70-69—139) at the Royal Palm Open, held May 6-7 at the Royal Palm Golf Club in Naples. 

When did you start playing golf?

Well, my dad (Jerome Brown) has played golf for a long time. He introduced my brother (Jaxon Brown) and I to the game when I was 5. I didn't start playing seriously until I was 8. That was when we moved to Florida from Cleveland. The weather is better for golf here. 

What is the appeal to you?

Golf is a diverse game. You have to be good at putting, hitting, chipping and driving and practice those things. When I walk off a golf course, I never feel like I did everything great. There is always so much room for improvement. 

What is your best skill?

My chipping. I have a good feel when I'm around the green. I have been working hard on trying new shots instead of a basic chip shot and it has been going well. 

What have you been trying to improve?

My putting. I'm not a good putter. I'm trying to break down all the different parts of putting and slowly work on each part. I'm trying to stay patient while my putting gets to a place where I at least know what's going on with it. 

What is your favorite golf memory?

From ages 9-12 I played in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships every year. I got to play some great courses in the Pinehurst area of North Carolina and I had my dad caddying for me. Those events are fun to look back on now. 

What are your future plans?

I'm playing in the Florida State Golf Association's Boys Junior Championship on July 6-8 (at Mayacoo Lakes Country Club and PGA National Resort in Palm Beach) and I'm looking forward to that. I'm also playing on Steph Curry's Underrated golf tour again this year. It was so much last year and I'm excited to do it again and try to get back to the Curry Cup (Aug. 20-23 at Lake Merced Golf Club in San Francisco). 

What is your favorite food?

I love spaghetti, so I have to go with that. 

What is your favorite movie?

I like the "Hunger Games" movies a lot. 

What is your favorite school subject?

I like science. I like learning things about the world and how it works. There's a reason for everything that happens. 

What are your hobbies?

I just like hanging out with my friends. It doesn't matter what we're doing. Lately we have been playing poker, but sometimes we don't do anything, we just waste time and it's still fun. 

Which superpower would you choose?

I would want teleportation. I don't like traveling, so that would be useful. 

What is the best advice you have received?

Stay patient. The game of golf is up and down. I don't try to rush the process. Even when I'm studying for a test or something, it's good advice. Let time do it's thing. 

Finish this sentence: "Jordan Brown is … "

Optimistic. I try to look at the bright side of things. I don't get down on myself after a round. I'm good at analyzing my rounds to see what happened and fix it instead.