I have accepted an appointment to attend the United States Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Maryland, with the opportunity to try out for the men’s golf team. Thank you to Coach Owen for the opportunity to try to play for his team. I’d also like to thank Coach Watts at West Point for his offer to play for his team, however in the end my passion to attend USNA won over.

I’d like to thank the following people:
– Father Pat and Deacon Wil at my parish church for instilling in me the importance of my faith.
– My childhood golf coaches, Bryan Gorman at my home course, Salt Creek Golf Club and Chris Smeal out at Future Champions for their solid advice and instruction during my early golf years.
– Armando Najera, General Manager, at Salt Creek for the VIP treatment all these years.
– San Diego Jr. Golf Association and Future Champions for providing me great places to compete and develop as a player…close to home.
– Derek Uyeda at The Grand Del Mar and to “Skip” Van Matre at Maderas for helping me in my current development.

A special thanks to my family…to my grandparents, uncles and aunties for driving me to and from the golf courses when mom and dad weren’t available and for just coming out to support me. Thank you to my golfing uncles Navi, Eric and John for playing with me, caddying for me and just providing me with great advice over the years. Thank you to my dad’s friends who are like uncles to me – Pep, Romy, Antolin for playing fun rounds with me over the years and supporting me.

Last, but not least. thank you to Isabella, for being the best little sister and friend, and to my mom and dad for guiding me to where I am today and for always supporting my passions whether it be golf, music or…food!

I’ve had my eye on The Naval Academy since I was very young, but I started to seriously consider it when my dad and I visited the campus over the summer of 2014 while playing in a golf tournament in the D.C. area. Receiving my appointment to attend the Academy and to possibly play golf for the Midshipmen is a dream come true. Ships or Planes…we’ll see what happens.

Matthew Modelo – Midshipman, Class of 2020, 21st Company “Blackjacks”
United States Naval Academy – Annapolis, MD

GO NAVY!