Jerell Fields closes out collegiate golf career, with hopes to go pro or join WSSU staff

There are those who play a sport, and then there are those who embody the sport that they play. Jerell Fields, a senior on Winston-Salem State's golf team, embodies the game that he so passionately plays. 

Fields, a Philadelphia native, has been playing golf since he was eight years old. His father, Michael Fields, always encouraged his son to participate in all forms of athletic competition. When the Fields family moved from Philadelphia to Charlotte, they were turned on to golf, a game that Michael said was a "rich man's sport" in their hometown. 

Charlotte was a different story. 

It gave the Fields an opportunity to explore a sport that would give the father-and-son duo a level playing field when competing against each other.

"I wanted to find something for us to do together, something that I wouldn't overpower him in but still be competitive," Michael said.

The moment Jerell grasped the golf clubs, it was evident that he had something special. So special in fact, that his talent on the greens landed him a scholarship with the Winston-Salem State golf team. Jerell recalls how his first encounter with former WSSU golf coach, Lester Carpenter, left a favorable impression with the University.

"Me and my dad played in a summer golf tournament as something to do," Jerell said.

"I played in a summer tournament..., and they ended up pairing me with the golf coach for Winston-Salem State. I beat him by like 12, or maybe 15 strokes. By the end of the tournament he  offered me a scholarship." 

Despite the team's valleys and peaks, Jerell has continued to post solid numbers, including a 2008-2009 record of 1,273 total strokes. He appeared in eight events for the Rams and turned in a low round of 69. His scoring average for his junior year was 79.6, or eight over par.

Not only is Jerell known for his talents on the green, but he is also known for being a leader.      

He was selected to be the captain of the team in his sophomore year; however, due to conflicting schedules between tournaments and personal obligations, Jerell's position was given to a fellow teammate. 

But that has not stopped him from doing what he does best. 

Many of his teammates still consider him to be the captain of the team. 

Michael Asbury, a junior majoring in sports management from Winston-Salem, lauds Fields' assistance on helping him with his game.

"Jerell Fields is a great teammate and a leader," Asbury said.  

"I can come to him for anything."

From swing improvement to adjusting to college life, Jerell has a natural ability to lead his teammates by setting a superior example both athletically and through his personal conduct.

Jerell will not participate in the team's final tournament of the season May 6-9 because of graduation obligations.  

Once he graduates, Jerell says he plans to work the amateur circuit for a year, if that works  he will consider going pro. 

Jerell also produced a documentary "The Infinite Sacrifice" about his athletic career and the WSSU golf team. 

He hopes that the concerns raised in the film will land him a job within the University's coaching staff. 

Jerell is accepting $2 donations for the DVD.

"I want to use this documentary as like a [resume]," Jerell said.