By David Yarger
Tribune Editor
This past week, Kevin Borowicz, a Grand Island High School alum, played in the 60th annual Porter Cup at Niagara Falls Country Club.
Borowicz, who currently attends the University of Central Florida, finished his first career Porter Cup at 16-over (296). His best round came on day one - a 1-over 71.
The Island native's journey to the tourney was anything but smooth from the get-go - starting with the qualifying round. Borowicz said a luggage issue had him scrambling the day of the round.
"I was supposed to fly out Sunday and my flight got cancelled. I got to the airport at about 2:30 p.m. and I didn't leave until 11:30. Then I had to drive an hour-and-a-half to Orlando. Flew out at 6 a.m., got here at about 9 a.m. and my clubs didn't come, my luggage didn't come, so I had to run home, throw together a set of clubs just from the garage and then run to the tee and give it my best shot," he said.
Borowicz shot a 4-over 74 in the qualifier, four shots off the cut line of 70. Looking to fill spots in the Porter Cup, though, he was given an exemption to play.
"It's been pretty crazy," Borowicz said. "I'm just trying to have a lot of fun this week. ... I really wasn't supposed to be here, so I'm just trying to make the most of it and enjoy."
Borowicz said when he received the call he'd be playing in the tournament he was incredibly excited, because growing up around the tournament, he always wanted to be a part of it.
"It's pretty awesome," Borowicz said. "I dreamed about playing in this tournament for a long time, so to finally get out here and play pretty well I feel, I'm really excited about it and it means a lot."
As a golfer at GIHS, Borowicz reached the New York State High School Golf Tournament in 2014 - his senior year. In the fall of Borowicz's senior season, he won the Niagara Frontier League Golf Tournament by shooting a 3-over 75.