Senior captain Thompson provides stability, leadership for Rocks

April 26, 2010, 12:05 p.m.

  At some point in the next decade, it wouldn't be surprising to see Salem senior golfer Aaron Thompson making regular appearances on the Golf Channel or the Weather Channel.

  Or both.

  The Rocks' par-shooting weather enthusiast brings talent and leadership qualities to a team with only a handful of seniors.

  Thompson, who will be a key player for first-year coach Ryan Nimmerguth this spring, took a few minutes following a recent practice to answer a couple of questions from PlymouthCantonSports.com's Ed Wright.

  ED WRIGHT: How is the transition going with the new coach so far?

  AARON THOMPSON: It's going well. I miss coach (Rick) Wilson a lot. He really meant a lot to me after playing for him for three years, but coach Nimmerguth is doing a fantastic job. It's not going to be the same not seeing coach Wilson waiting there on hole 9 when I finish my rounds. It will be different.

  EW: In what ways are you a better golfer than you were your freshman season?

  AT: I've worked on my game a lot with Dave Kendall, who is one of the top teachers in the state of Michigan. Thanks to the work I've put in, I'm shooting at par now most of the time. When I was a freshman, I was shooting in the high 40s to mid 40s.

  EW: How far can you hit it?

  AT: I'm about 290 yards off the tee.

  EW: What's the best part of your game?

  AT: I'd have to say my short game. I can hit multiple shots around the green.

  EW: How do you fine tune your game during the winter months?

  AT: I don't hit many balls in the winter. I usually go to an indoor range once or twice. It's nice to have a little break. During the off-season, I study weather. People call me the weatherman. If I can't make it in professional golf, I'd like to be a meteorologist.

  EW: Who's the best meteorologist, in your opinion?

  AT: Jim Cantore from the Weather Channel. The best weatherman in the state is Dave Rexrode.

  EW: How do you deal with the extremely windy conditions like we have today when you're playing golf?

  AT: When it's as windy as it is today, you have to go through a mental process. You have to mentally prepare yourself to play in these conditions. I'll also go to the range and hit some low shots to see if that will be a key or not during the round.

  EW: What do you like about this year's team?

  AT: I like it. I think we'll do well. Being a captain, I have to take a leadership responsibility and I think I'm up to the challenge. I'm a team guy and I've tried to take something from all of the captains I've played with.

  EW: Who's your favorite professional player?

  AT: Phil Mickelson. I play Callaway like he does and I like to think I have a good short game like he does.

  EW: What are your goals this season?

  AT: I'd like to qualify for the Division 1 state finals at Forest Akers East Golf Course in East Lansing. I'd also like to see our team get ranked in the top 10 in Division 1. I really want to see our team do well, especially for our new coach.