Matt Smith has never thought of himself as a trailblazer — just somebody who enjoys playing golf. But trailblazing is exactly what he did earlier this week when he signed a scholarship to play golf at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville and in doing so became the first person at Clements High School to sign a collegiate golf scholarship.

“It’s cool to be able to be the first one at my high school to sign a golf scholarship,” Smith said. “It’s fun to make a little bit of history.”

Smith was joined by his family, friends and Wallace State golf coaches in a signing ceremony Monday at the Clements High School gymnasium.

The senior golfer said his ultimate goal is to play Division I golf, and he felt Wallace State would prepare him best to do that.

“I know a couple of golfers already over there,” Smith said. “I talked to them, and they really enjoy it. They took me to their indoor practice facility. They’ve got a hitting simulator, indoor putting green and practice area. I feel Wallace will help me get to Division I more than any other school I could have chosen.”

Smith began playing golf for Clements in the eighth grade and only began playing in competitive tournaments about four years ago.

But his hard work and dedication to the sport have taken him from basic beginner to standout high school and future college golfer in a short time.

“It takes a lot of hard work to be successful,” Smith said. “I have gone out hitting every day for the past four or five years. I really enjoy the sport, so it doesn’t bother me to do it.”

Golf has become a passion of Smith’s over the past five years due to the critical-thinking nature of the sport.

“You go out there each day, and nothing is the same as it was the day before,” Smith said. “Whether it be the course condition, the weather or something else, there’s always something different. It’s a game that constantly keeps you on your toes.”