Oxford, AL – An injury in baseball brought focus back to golf and Oxford’s Cochran transformed hard work into a chance to be a part of Snead State’s Community College.
By Joe Medley
Sports injuries are common. Sometimes, they may occur due to a cause.
Oxford High’s Brayden Cochran embraced the possibility during the ceremony on Monday to celebrate his official signing to play golf at Snead State Community college.
Cochran changed his golf game to be more of a priority in the past two years, after an injury to his elbow altered his golf course. In the past, he played football, baseball and playing golf along with dad in the summer.
The injury happened during baseball season during his first year in the sport. Former pitcher and outfielder stated that it began hurting during pitching, but it got worse while throwing throws from outfield.
“I’m not entirely sure what the issue is,” he said. “I simply knew that when I pitched the ball, it would get swollen up. I stopped throwing because it hurt so badly. Then, it started really hurt.”
Cochran decided to quit his baseball career rather than undergo surgery. At the same time, Jeff Bain, Cochran’s middle school baseball coach, took over Oxford High’s Golf program.
Cochran was a golfer with his father in the summer months.
“I thought I’d give it a go and try the game of golf” He said. “My primary sport was football. Any way,
“I was out and was always a great ball striker. Once I figured out how to play I started to take pleasure in playing it.”
Chad Cochran, Brayden’s father and Oxford’s defensive coordinator was able to make connections during his two seasons with Mountain Brook to get his son’s instruction. Brayden worked closely with Mountain Brook Country Club director of golf Jeff Jordan.
Brayden was able to get away from there, and grew so fast that he reached a hard choice … to give up football.
He played football in his junior years. He was aware that Oxford was a top team in his senior season, and the brand new Champions Athletic Center was under construction.
He described the decision as “a heart-breaking experience” however he was aware that he needed to concentrate on golf.
“Coming to my final year of high school, I started becoming very good at golf.” He said. “I was aware that when I had a break I could have a chance to receive an invitation.”
He took part in two tournaments over the span of two weeks, including one Alabama Junior Golf Association tourney in Jasper. He posted a score of 73, but was eliminated in an elimination match.
A few days later, Snead State golf coach Sam Holcomb. Brayden was able to try out and was able to compete in nine holes against the top two golfers of Snead.
“He offered me a job on the moment,” Brayden said.
Bain said Brayden’s meteoric increase in golf was not a surprise once Brayden put his focus and determination in his play.
“There will never be anyone who will try harder to reach the same goal as Brayden achieved,” Bain said. “Whether you were striking 10,000 balls from the range in a single afternoon, or you had to take him off the course as well as the golf course will offer his buckets of sand for making his divots again and he’d take the time to walk.
“Daylight to darkness and he was consumed by it. Today is a testimony to how hard work can benefit you.”
