Michigan coaches make the decision for RJ Arone, a Bishop Gorman class of 2024, easy. Arone is the latest in a long line of SNJGA members to commit to play college golf. –by Bill Bowman, www.LasVegasGolfInsider.com

“The Michigan coaches welcomed me with open arms,” Arone said. “It’s a big-time university with great facilities. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

He added his choice to spend more time around Southern Nevada and SNJGA events rather than traveling around the country to high-profile events impressed the coaches.

During his junior playing career, he won back-to-back Nevada State Junior Amateur Championships with a 137 (70-67, -7) total in 2023 while he had a 133 (65-68, -11) total in 2022. In the Nevada State Amateur the last two years, he tied for 10th in 2023 after a sixth-place finish the year prior (67-65-70/202, -12).

In 2023, he claimed medalist honors at the Clark County Amateur, a Southern Nevada Golf Association major, the Boulder City Junior Amateur, the 223 Las Vegas City Junior Amateur and won the Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association Team event along with playing partner Christopher “Bear” Riddle. He added a runner-up finish on a national scale at the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship (67-70-72/209, -4).

“I’m doing things differently,” he said. “Rather than doing a lot of traveling, I’m sticking to a lot of local events. I just didn’t think all the traveling was the right thing for me and coach (Zach Barlow) really liked that about me.”

Barlow is thrilled with his new player.

“R.J. is an elite talent with wins, and the game, to back it up,” said Barlow. “He has dominated the scene in southern Nevada and really turned some heads with his finish at the Notah Begay III Championship. His work ethic and refuse-to-lose mentality is the perfect fit with what our program is all about. We cannot wait to get him to get to Ann Arbor in the fall.”

As he’s made his way up through the golf ranks, Arone said his college play will be the next step in his progression.

“The whole goal is to play professionally one day,” he said. “And this is the next step; a very big step.”

Those steps started in junior golf and Arone was quick to point out SNJGA’s role in his process.

“It was a great experience,” he said. “And they were very helpful. It was affordable, and we got to play some very nice golf courses. It’s been a fun ride.”

Then came golf at Bishop Gorman where he helped the Gaels win the 2023 state 5A title with a fifth-place finish.

He said his golf game is in a pretty good spot right now, but he knows there is always room for improvement.

“My mental game and putting still need work,” he said. “The putting, I’ve always struggled with. The mental game is the biggest struggle, getting over bad shots and then going on to the next shot.”

Now, it will be on to Michigan where he plans to focus on studying business along with golf.

“It’s going to be a humbling experience to show how easy I’ve had it,” he said. “If I mess up a few times, I’ve got to get back on the horse to show who I really am.”

He’s also going to have to adjust to time away from home.

“It’s going to be a lot of time management,” he said. “I’ve got to fit in school, golf and a couple of weeks of really missing home. Those will be one of the really tough parts. But I’ll figure it out.”