Despite having his college golf experience shaken by the pandemic, 24-year-old Matthew Adams is now pursuing his dream of professional golf – and he’s just getting started.
“I’m just a very competitive person,” the former Los Altos resident said. “You only live once, and I would really regret not trying to (go pro). I’m super lucky and grateful that I have parents who support my journey and a good group of people around me who really believe in me.”
Since graduating college last May, Adams has been working toward his goal of getting on a pro tour.
“2025 is definitely (the year I want to), … be on one of the tours, whether or not that be the Canadian tour or the Korn Ferry Tour or the PGA Tour,” Adams said.
Adams’ golf career started in high school. While being privately coached by former PGA Tour player Jeff Brehaut at the Los Altos Golf and Country Club (LAGCC), Adams also played on St. Francis High School’s golf team for four years – three of which were on varsity.
Adams continued his golf career for NCAA Division II St. Edward’s University in Texas. However, the COVID-19 pandemic later that year not only halted his first collegiate season but also dismantled St. Edward’s team altogether. This led Adams to the University of Delaware (UD), where he completed his undergraduate degree while playing Division I golf.
“It was a really tough experience (at St. Edward’s), but everything happens for a reason,” Adams said. “(Playing Division I), that was a dream of mine, and it set me up for a strong future.”
After graduating from UD last spring, Adams launched into his professional golf career, remotely training with Brehaut and competing in mini tour events.
“Matthew’s settling into learning what his shapes are, what his misses are and he’s changed his cutting method,” Brehaut said. “His strength is his distance, and his weakness is learning how to play tournaments – and that just requires experience.”
In early October, Adams tied Brehaut’s record at LAGCC shooting a 60. He ranks this as one of his greatest feats so far.
“I wasn’t necessarily standing on the first tee saying, ‘I’m going to shoot the course record today,’ but I ended up starting really hot,” Adams said. “As it came down to the last few holes, I realized that it could happen. I played super well that day. It’s something that my friends and I as kids always talked about and to have it come to fruition was a pretty unique experience.”
Later that month, Adams moved to Dallas to join the ambassador program at Trinity Forest Golf Club. There, he trains with about 18 other aspiring PGA Tour players.
“I wanted to play with and against other great players, see where my game stacks against theirs,” Adams said. “It gives you a chance to reflect on what you really need to work on.”
Currently in the off-season, Adams trains almost daily as he looks forward to returning to the competition season.
“Right now is a unique time when you’ve got to be honest with yourself and evaluate your game,” Adams said. “I really want to work hard, so I think of every day as a chance to get better. Even if you might not see the results that day or that week, if you just keep stacking good days on top of each other, the outcome will show.”
