Bruin Sensation Patrick Cantlay's Key Goal: NCAA Championship for U.C.L.A.

They way I wrote out a U.C.L.A. should tip off everyone that this post has something to do with the New York Times. Yes, it does because just stumbled into a fantastic profile on the latest Bruin sensation in Westwood - Patrick Cantlay (emphasis added):

Cantlay, a 19-year-old amateur sensation and U.C.L.A. sophomore to be, is quite happy not be receiving any of the $143,667 he would have won for his tie for 21st at the United States Open two weeks ago and his tie for 24th at the Travelers Championship last week.

Perks that are standard on the PGA Tour hold no allure at the moment, and Cantlay sees no upside in turning pro, believing the wealth of experience he is gaining will pay off in time.

"Right now, I like being in school, I like hanging out with my friends," he said. "I’m only 19, so, it’s fun being a kid and being an amateur. Amateur golf is great.

"You can achieve a lot in amateur golf, and I haven’t had that many years of doing it and I’d like to achieve a lot more."

A rara avis in today’s golf world, Cantlay wants to first play in a Walker Cup before worrying about a Ryder Cup or a Presidents Cup. A semifinalist in the 2010 United States Amateur, he looks forward to improving on that, to playing well at the Western Amateur and to being part of an N.C.A.A. team championship at U.C.L.A.

"You don’t get a second chance at them," he said.

May be coaches Rick Neuheisel and Ben Howland can convince Cantlay to hold couple of special seminars on what it means to be a Bruin. What a kid.

GO BRUINS.