Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kevin Prise, and I am a journalism student at Syracuse University. I am a lifelong golfer and golf fan; I played high school golf at Orchard Park without much success and try to play as much as I can at Syracuse. My favorite golfer is Fred Funk, and I love rooting against the big names.

Along these lines, I have always been intrigued with the minor leagues and the Web.com Tour. For a school project last summer, I hit the road and traveled to a few Web.com events, interviewing dozens of players and acquiring stories to gain a broad perspective into life in minor league golf. I spent many nights in the car, traveled sometimes alone and sometimes with friends and family, and developed awesome connections along the way. Although my time on the road is over for now, I will be picking up the in-person coverage this summer, when I will begin working for Golf World magazine.

In accordance with my interests, this space will focus on the Web.com Tour and players I covered last summer who made their way up to the PGA Tour. One of these players is 41-year old veteran Jeff Gove, who I was able to develop a good relationship with and who gained his PGA Tour card with a top-ten finish at Q-School.

Anyone is encouraged to contact me at any time with regard to opinions or story ideas. As an Orchard Park native and lifelong Buffalo resident, I have played plenty of courses in the Buffalo area (some many times), and I would be happy to provide a reaction. If Buffalo-area golfers such as Dudley Hart and Lonnie Nielsen happen to make a return to the professional circuit, or if other area names find success along the way, I will cover that as well.

Enjoy the offseason, everyone! Before we know it, it will be time to start agonizing over those yipped 3-footers.