"He does have great potential, and we’re real excited to have him," Owens said. "He’s an excellent putter which means he’ll have the chance to score really well. He’s an excellent student as well, which you need to be at Shorter because the academics are very high. I look for Tyler’s obvious work ethic to make him successful in the classroom and on the field."

Owens has set out to build the perfect team. The NAIA Rome, Ga. college team has only three returners and Steptoe is one of seven new recruits.

"I’m excited to go to the next level, and I realize my hard work has just begun," Steptoe said. "There are ten guys on the team, and there will be a qualifier before each tourney with only the top six able to compete. I’ve looked at the stats of the other recruits, and I know I’ve got to get in a lot of practice over the summer.

Steptoe said he hopes to eventually go pro. As a back-up, he plans on getting a degree in professional golf management. RHHS golf coach Alex Gray said Steptoe has the drive and the ability to go as far as he wants to with the sport.

"It’s exciting for me because I have so much respect for Tyler," Gray said. "He embodies what I’d like this program to be, so seeing someone so deserving actually getting to go to the next level is a shining example to all those who have seen him work so hard."

Gray said a lot of people did not know RHHS has a golf team, "but they know about Tyler Steptoe. He’s brought a lot of awareness to the program. I’m honored to say that I coached him."

"This is a great day," his dad Ric Steptoe said. "He’s put in a lot of time to the sport of golf, and it has paid off well for him."