In this installment of Where Are They Now presented by Avenger Logistics, we make the short trip up the road to the Nashville area for our National Champion. When we say National, we mean NATIONAL.
 
Men's golfer Steven Fox took an improbable path 10 years ago to the 2012 United States Amateur Championship. And he had an interesting witness who even 10 years later feels the pain of watching Fox move forward.
 
There are 36 holes to qualify for 64 spots into match play to earn one of the hardest and most coveted titles in sport. In Fox's case, he was one of 17 looking for the final 14 spots in a playoff at Cherry Hills Country Club in the metropolitan Denver area.
 
Also in that playoff? 2022 British Open Champion Cam Smith, but he was dispatched in the first couple of holes as it came down to a number of players with just one error putting you out of the mix. Eventually, there were three including Fox and of all people, first year Head Golf Coach Blaine Woodruff.
 
Woodruff begrudgingly (artistic license) shared that the final trio teed off with only one ball in the fairway, his own. From there…we'll let him tell the story.
 
"I hit first and took hybrid driving straight down the middle," he began. "Fox hits in the right rough and the other kid goes in the left rough, so I'm feeling pretty good about my position. I was kind of amped so I hit my gap wedge right next to the hole, but it spun back off the front. We all missed the green and then chipped it to 8-10 feet.
 
"The other guy made a 10 footer for par. Fox putted next making a 9 footer and then I missed an 8 footer. That was a dagger."
 
It's a tough pill to swallow for Woodruff, but he smiled and said Fox had a fan from that moment on. It all came down to a rare putter that the duo actually both used.
 
"One of the very last guys to get in and then goes on and wins it," Woodruff continued. "I played with a RIFE putter which isn't a company anymore. I thought I was the only one at the time that used one until I noticed Steven had one too.
 
"I know it's silly, but I was rooting for him in match play because of it. I still remember watching him make that 20 footer for birdie on the 37th hole to win it with that RIFE putter.
 
"It's a great story knowing how close he was to not being in that position, but instead took advantage of the opportunity to win it all. It means so much for our program to have a champion of the premier amateur event in the world."
 
Want to hear more of the story from Fox himself? Check out the 5-year anniversary story here with expert videography from MocsVision alums. There is also this stirring recounting of the week that was 10 years ago today.
 
So enough about the present's ties with the past. We're on the hunt for what's going on now with Fox. He's the father of two – Mason & Maverick – and is married to UTC alum Desiree Collier. Fox works in commercial real estate in metro Nashville with Southeastern Commercial Properties.
 
How often does "U.S. Amateur Champion" come up these days and how does it help you in the work world?
Even 10 years after winning, it does come up a lot in conversation. When meeting potential clients and/or listing appointments, someone will recognize my name and say, "Are you the golfer, Steven Fox?". It has definitely helped in the work world, but it only gets you so far, still have to be knowledgeable about CRE (Commercial Real Estate).
 
Your title put you into some major venues playing Pebble Beach, Augusta National, Merion, Muirfield…what course was your favorite?
I was fortunate to play some great venues, Augusta, Merion, Congressional, Pebble Beach, Muirfield (Ohio and Scotland) and Torrey Pines. My favorite will always be Augusta. The creativity you need around that course, and the hospitality is phenomenal. I am lucky to be part of The Honors Course in Chattanooga, which will always be a favorite. There is nothing better pulling in and being on the grounds there… it's special.
 
Cherry Hills talked you out of a club for display in their Hall of Champions…what did you end up giving them since the putter was out of the question?
I ended up giving them a 60* wedge. My short game was on all week and on the 37th hole, I had about 75 yards and hit 60* eventually leading to a birdie and the win. It did take a few weeks to replace that 60* though.
 
Looking back, what would 2022 Steven tell 2009 Steven headed to college for the first time?
"You are going to have success and you are going to fail. How you handle your failures will determine your success" – Somebody has probably said that before, but I like it.
 
I wish I worked harder at the game and wish I invested more time and effort in the gym. I was a good player in college, but winning the US Am, jump started a lot for my playing career that I truly don't believe I was prepared for.
 
Have the kids picked up a golf club yet?
Mason has. It usually consists of him hitting three golf balls, then handing me the club and wants to watch me hit. Still figuring out if he is lefty or righty is driving me crazy. We drive by a course every day, and he always mentions wanting to play, so at some point I think we will be there often. Father-Son Saturday mornings at the golf course would be pretty awesome!