Cash first in family to receive athletic scholarship

GRANTS - Cibola County has produced Division One athletes, with full ride scholarships in the past, but it's been a while since the last.

Tannin Cash broke the dry spell with an acceptance to Dodge City Community College in Kansas. The golf program finished in second place in its division last year.

“It's pretty amazing,” said Cash's golf coach Marty Zeller. “He is the first athlete since I've been here to receive an athletic scholarship. He will stick it out and do something with golf and his education.”

Zeller said Cash took all aspects of golf seriously with hours of practice and rigorous workouts.

“What it takes as far as competing, is the guy who's at practice first and has to be shooed away at the end of the day,” said Zeller, “Tannin took it a bit further.”

Cash's practice wouldn't end when the sun went down. Under lights in the backyard, he would chip for hours.

While Zeller never claims to be the most technical coach of golf, he does instill a sense of competition in his athletes.

“Everything was a competition,” said Tannin, “we would be in hotel hallways on an away trip having a putting contest.”

Sometimes Cash would play table tennis against the coach just for added competition.

“I wouldn't be near the athlete without him,” said Cash on his inspirational coach. “He taught me how to play with your mind and not your physical body.”

Professional golfer Tiger Woods started a trend of a more 'fit' golfing lifestyle.

Tannin and Coach Zeller recognized this and started work out sessions that leave most athletes exhausted. Tannin would call Zeller at 5:30 a.m. and say “lets work out.”

After sticking with Zeller's workout program for several years, Cash has gotten into great physical shape, a necessity for strong finishes on the course.

“The email I sent out (recommendations), I told the coaches he is a kid with good grades. I consider him a workout freak, with a good work ethic, doesn't drink or smoke. I'd take 5, 6, 10 Tannins and do something with them.”

Tannin said while his brothers all played sports, he was the only one who received an athletic scholarship.

“It was all worth it,” explained Tannin. “There is such a mentality that high school is the last time you will play competitive golf, it's not true. You keep progressing through college and keep getting better.”

Cash's plan is to play golf for a year at the college and then fulfill religious obligations that will require him to red shirt for two years. Then he plans on continuing to golf and education.