Michael Blodgett is one of the talented amateur golfers who participate in the Straight Down Fall Classic. He played high school golf in San Luis Obispo, but has shined even brighter three time zones to the east.

Now a senior at the University of Pennsylvania, he won the Ivy League Golf championships in May, 2008.

He played in the 2008 Straight Down Fall Classic with pro Tom Kelly, who represents Straight Down Clothing Co. in the Keystone State.

The team finished tied for 35^th place in 208, with a 67-76-143. The team was four shots back of the leaders after the first 18 holes.

Blodgett is also an athlete who has juvenile diabetes. His family has known Mike Rowley’s family for years and that friendship inspired Rowley to name the Juvenile Diabetes Research Institute as one of the three charities that would benefit from the 2008 Fall Classic.

Straight Down had an opportunity to sit with Blodgett following his Sunday round at San Luis Obispo Country Club to talk about the tournament and golf in general.

Straight Down - What did you find out here this weekend?

Michael Blodgett - I’ve seen these greens for the last 10 years, playing on here, growing up here and every opportunity I have to come out the Straight Down it’s always an honor to be out here. I’ve caddied for many years and to be able to play out here for the last two years. The greens don’t get any easier. It’s always the same. It’s always tricky. These three footers are always the longest three-footers you’ll ever have in your life. The course played tough. I think it played fair. It was a grind.

SD - Hardly any wind. The predicted wind wasn’t there so that had to help you a little bit?

MB — Yeah.

SD - The hot weather though dried out the greens?

MB - Definitely. I would have like to see the winds pick up. Coming out here when I was growing up, hitting balls after school, it was always whipping. The wind was always blowing 30 mph.

SD-So you could play your shot to accommodate for that.

MB — Exactly

SD - Turning to the charities. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International. That has to be a big factor why you like playing in this tournament. … Have you had much conversation with (Mike Rowley) over the weekend or in advance of the tournament about what’s going on here?

MB - Not much. A lot of the conversation has been behind the scenes with my parents and him. I’ve spoken with him a few times. But when I first heard that he was going to help the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation I was thrilled. I wanted to offer any services that I could to make sure it was set up. Obviously it’s an honor to be able to play out here. I played with Scott Simpson today and he asked me what I had on my belt. It’s my insulin pump. So we got to share stories about the guys on tour - Scott Verplank and some of the other guys who are on the senior tour - who have people or relatives who are diabetic. I love to be out here playing this game. I’m proving to people and proving to the world that even though you have a disease or you have an ailment you can still play and be successful.

SD - You have some goals as the Ivy League champion?

MB - I’m looking forward to this year. I’ve had a good fall season. I’ve won one event individually this fall. Had a really, really good year and I’m looking forward to the spring. If all goes according to plan I’m actually going to be back out here for Cal Poly’s event in the spring (Cal Poly Invitational March 26, 27). The university is going to come out here and play. Fast forward to the Ivys in late April or early May. I’ll be defending champion and right now I feel like I’m on the top of my game and when I’m playing well and playing just consistent like I have been all year there’s not very many people in the Northeast who can beat me.

SD — Are there two-time champions in the Ivy League?

MB - I don’t know the history that well but I was the first University of Pennsylvania to ever win (the championship) so if I an defend it would be another milestone.

SD - Are you ready for another Pennsylvania winter? I think I saw that the Steelers today were playing in a lot of snow back there.

MB - I’m really not looking forward to going to class tomorrow. I’m getting on a plane here in about four hours and have a long way home and class tomorrow. But to be out here in the sun I couldn’t ask for anything more.