Jacob, 14, is fresh from winning the MS/LA Junior Golf Championship that was staged last weekend at the Wolf Hollow Golf Club located on Copiah-Lincoln Community College's Wesson campus. He shot a personal-best 6-under par 66 and won the 14-15 age division by 10 strokes over runner-up Chase Taylor of Columbus. Ross had a 2-round total of 73-66--139.

"I like to practice and I like to win," Ross admitted, his dark brown eyes flashing with determination. His favorite PGA Tour player is Tiger Woods who is known for his steely-eyed, no-nonsense focus on the golf course.

The 14-year-old son of Ronny and Elizabeth Ross prefers Titleist woods and Ping irons. He uses a Rife putter and a Titleist Pro VI ball.

A slender 6-footer, Jacob placed a remarkable 25th in the Mississippi State Amateur Tournament held at the Diamondhead Country Club in Gulfport. He won the Mississippi Junior State Amateur in the 15-under division. Ross authored a 3-round total of 75-73-72-220 at the Colonial Country Club and finished 4-over par, beating his closest challenge by 5 strokes.

Asked to name his favorite course, Ross said he liked the Hattiesburg Country Club and Ole Waverly in West Point.

His father, Ronny, is a PGA Professional and instructs his children in the game of golf. He also serves as Director of Golf at Wolf Hollow and coaches the Co-Lin golf team.

"Jacob works hard on his game and Olivia has a load of talent," said their father, Ronny. "We hope they both get a college scholarship some day."

Olivia, standing 4-11, is a growing 10-year-old with large blue eyes and a disarming smile. Her game is steadily improving, too, as evidence by a personal-best 48 this summer. She also won her division in the MS/LA Junior Championship, edging Karley Whittington of Vicksburg by 1 stroke, 111-112. She shot rounds of 52 and 59.

She also won the Pro's of the Future tourney at the Tupelo Country Club, shooting a 51. In two summers she has yet to lose a tournament in her age division.

A fifth-grader at Brookhaven Academy, her favorite LPGA player is Paula Creamer. Olivia uses Titleist woods and Cobra irons, plus a Nike putter. She prefers a pink Pinnacle ball. One of her favorite courses is the Greenwood Country Club.

Asked what she liked about the game of golf, Olivia said, "I like to hit (ball) really far. And I enjoy playing golf with my friends."

A maternal observation was made.

"Olivia is more laid back and relaxed," said her mother, Elizabeth. "Jacob gets in a golf focus mode the morning of a tournament and that's all he thinks about."

Jacob, a freshman, is home-schooled, allowing him more afternoon time to practice at the golf course. He usually practices 6 days a week.

He recently was recognized as the Mississippi Junior Golf Association's Player of the Year.

The Ross family's life is centered around golf and they all have enjoyed the benefits.