JPGA Journey
Written by Anthony Garzilli | Photos supplied
Josh Setiadi is not one to overthink things.
Whether it’s taking the SATs or fine-tuning his golf swing, Setiadi clears his mind and concentrates on going step by step.
It’s a focus that has helped him improve as a golfer and envision a career on the golf course and in business.
Setiadi, an 18-year-old at the Junior Players Golf Academy, credits the sport with helping him develop his calm approach.
“It’s changed me,” said Setiadi, just hours after completing the standardized college admission exam. “I’ve just become more patient.”
Setiadi is one of 32 full-time students at Hilton Head Island-based JPGA, which aims to prepare golfers to compete in national-level tournaments and earn college scholarships. He attends JPGA-partner school Heritage Academy in the mornings until noon, then during the afternoon he refines his game.
Since arriving from Indonesia in January 2022, Setiadi said he’s enjoyed his experience on and off the golf course.
From the strong curriculum and caring approach of Heritage Academy (“They prioritize the well-being of students”) to the individual instruction that forges personal connections at JPGA (“That helps you learn”), Setiadi has thrived.
He will graduate this spring and earned a scholarship to play collegiately at Erskine College.
Golf wasn’t always his passion. In fact, after feeling pressured to play when he was young by his parents, Setiadi quit the sport.
Instead, he tried baseball. Setiadi played the outfield and infield, but the sport just wasn’t right for him. On the weekends, during the height of COVID when the fields were closed, the coaches wanted the players to do workouts via Zoom calls.
“I did not think that was fun,” he said.
A few months later, around October of 2020, he went to the driving range with his father. He started hitting golf balls. Sure, he had a baseball grip, but things felt right. The swing wasn’t quite where it needed to be, but by January he competed in his first tournament and played relatively well, shooting in the high 80s, low 90s.
He gradually improved to shoot in the mid-70s.
Near the end of 2021 he learned about the JPGA and became intrigued. Setiadi, who had been an exchange student in France and Brazil, figured coming to the island and the JPGA was going to be good for his golf game and education. His goal was to be an excellent student and play golf well enough to compete in college.
He said his grades were usually a B- or a C in Indonesia, but since arriving in America he said he’s not had a grade lower than 90.
And his golf game has certainly improved. Buoyed by a trusting relationship with head coach Adam Rushin, Setiadi said his swing is much better.
“When I first came here, my swing was not good,” said Setiadi, who noted his swing was too big, and his posture was poor. “Adam said, ‘You need to make big changes with your swing.’ ”
His swing has improved to the point where Setiadi now has a clear mind on the course.
“I don’t think about my swing on the golf course,” he said. “When I do that (think), I don’t do well. When I just do it step by step, it’s better, and that’s because I’ve become more patient.”
He appreciates Rushin’s tutelage, especially since Rushin played on the PGA Tour and has won more than 20 professional events.
“I’m big in having a teacher that has experience,” Setiadi said. “He was on the Tour, he’s played tournaments. He’s had prior experience.”
The relationship with Rushin is not just about golf. Setiadi said they have a shared passion for cars, which is at the forefront of many conversations. He also appreciates the individual instruction.
“The coaches at JPGA think about you, it’s more of a personal thing,” Setiadi said. “Personalized coaching is one of the good things JPGA has.”
Beyond the golf instruction Setiadi said his JPGA experience is augmented by being around so many golfers from different countries and with different nationalities. The academy has fellow golfers from the United States and throughout the world: Asia. Europe. Canada. South America and Mexico.
It’s a cornucopia of different cultures.
“We understand the customs and what different people from different countries are like,” Setiadi said. “You learn a lot about different cultures. It’s great. If you have friends from those areas, you have friends from around the world.”
Setiadi hopes to eventually compete on the PGA Tour, but he plans to major in business administration with an eye on learning more about the business of the sport. He understands the importance of building good relationships and making connections.
The experience at the JPGA has helped him learn a little about the golf business world from JPGA president and owner Keith Bach, something Setiadi values.
“I can learn from him,” he said. “He’s in a position where he knows what he’s doing, so I like to learn from people who have experience.”
After the grind of the SATs in early March, he figured he’d relax. For Setiadi that meant getting some rest and playing golf. Practice, practice, practice.
Taking it step by step.
