Competitive drive

Standing over the final putt of his first college tournament, Jeff Overton needed to make a 10-foot putt just to break 80. \nIt was not quite the start he had imagined, but Overton stepped up and hit the putt to score 79 for the round. It wasn't a great round, but at that moment, IU coach Mike Mayer knew he had landed a special recruit.\nFour years later, Overton is an All-American senior, ranked No. 9 nationally by Golfweek magazine, with goals set on playing on the PGA Tour. Mayer saw it all along.\n"Many kids would have missed that putt after a hard round with their tail between their legs," Mayer said. "Jeff never gives up."\nComing out of high school, lots of college coaches passed on Overton, but Mayer said he was interested in him because of his enthusiasm and love for golf.\n"Some of the coaches that knew I were recruiting Jeff laughed at me," Mayer said. "While I was recruiting Jeff there was something that intrigued me about him. He could shoot some incredibly low scores."\nOverton came to Bloomington with high expectations because of his success in high school. As a sophomore at Evansville North High School, Overton finished second individually at the IHSAA state championships. The following season he led North to the team state championship. Overton ended his career as a three-time All-State selection. Overton was joined by Rob Ockenfuss and Heath Peters in what has become one of the most important recruiting classes in Mayer's seven-year tenure as head coach.\n"When I came here, the cupboards were bare," Mayer said. "These three guys have really helped us."\nAs his career is coming to an end, Overton has rewritten every single record in the IU golf record book. IU has had some very successful golfers come through the program such as 2003 PGA champion Shaun Micheel and All-American Randy Leen, but Overton has surpassed them all.\n"It's tough to compare golfers across eras," Mayer said. "In the record book he will distance himself from everyone that has played golf for IU."\nOverton has won six career titles and been runner-up at eight different events. He has 22 career top fives. He has the lowest scoring average in IU history and has fired the second-lowest score in NCAA history as he shot a 61 in the final round of the 2004 Xavier Invitational Tournament. He has been honored as Big Ten Player of the Week eight times, and last season Overton was named Big Ten Player of the Year along with being named to the PING second All-American team.\nFor Overton, one accomplishment stands out from the rest.\n"Winning four tournaments in a row last year was amazing," Overton said. "It showed me that I could play and compete at the top level."\nOverton's amateur résumé is as impressive as his college accomplishments. Overton is the two-time defending Indiana Amateur champion. Last summer Overton made the semifinals of the U.S. Amateur before falling to eventual champion Ryan Moore of UNLV.\n"Playing in the U.S. Amateur really helped me prepare mentally for tournaments," Overton said. "You have to believe you are the best every time you are on the course."\nOverton has also represented the United States at the Fiji Xerox USA vs. Japan Collegiate Cup. This summer he will represent the United States at the Walker Cup, a prestigious amateur team competition. After the Walker Cup, Overton will begin his pro career.\n"My home pro, my parents, coach and some agents who have contacted me, have given me advice about turning pro when the season is over," Overton said.\nOverton will look to follow Micheel's success when trying to earn his tour card.\n"Jeff is going to be very successful on the pro tour," said Mayer. "He has things that cannot be taught, like his vision and feel for the game."\nNot only will Overton walk away from IU as the most successful golfer, he will walk away with plenty of memories.\n"It's going to be hard to leave my teammates behind," Overton said. "I remember the feeling when Ben Davidson graduated when I was a sophomore and now I know looking at Santiago and the other guys that it's going to be tough to leave. However, I need to look forward to what lies ahead."\nOverton does not have time to reflect on his success until the season is over. The Hoosiers still have two tournaments before the postseason begins. Overton still has unfinished business before he leaves Bloomington as he sets his sights on the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.\n"I want to continue to put IU on the map," Overton said. "I want to go out with a bang and leave as one of the great golfers to come out of IU."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Chris\nEngel at ccengel@indiana.edu.