Mathew Rocker, seated, recently signed a golf scholarship with Abraham Baldwin College. He is shown with his parents, Beth and King Rocker. (Photo contributed) Matthew Rocker spent last year training with the best and preparing to play college golf. His efforts paid off, and he recently signed a golf scholarship with Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College (ABAC) in Tifton.

Rocker, the 19-year-old son of King and Beth Rocker of Millen, graduated from high school at Edmund Burke Academy in May 2008. Following graduation, Rocker attended the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy on Hilton Head Island. As a student in their post-graduate program, he also attended the University of South Carolina at Beaufort. Along with other students from countries around the world, Rocker received golf instruction from Haney, the world's top golf instructor, in addition to other Haney-trained instructors. Rocker's golf regimen for the fall 2008 and spring 2009 semesters also included mental and fitness training.

Rocker became addicted to the game at a young age and began playing golf with his dad at Magnolia Country Club located in his hometown of Millen. He played for his high school golf team for five years and was named GISA All-Region 2-AA his senior year. His tournament experience not only includes local area tournaments but he continues to participate in several golf associations which he has been involved with for several years. These include the Augusta Area Junior Golf Association, the Hilton Head Island Junior Golf Association, the Georgia Junior PGA Tour, the Georgia Junior Sectionals, and the International Junior Golf Tournament Association where he has received several first place tournament finishes.

As a member of the ABAC golf team, Rocker joins fellow high school classmate Bernie Smith. Smith received a golf scholarship and joined the stallion's golf program at ABAC in the fall of 2008. Stallion's golf coach, Herb Hendrix, is excited to have these two young athletes on his 2009-2010 golf team.