Top 10: Schriber's students thrive

TRAVERSE CITY -- Anthony Kim started the PGA Tour season a relative unknown. The same could've been said for his longtime coach Adam Schriber, who teaches at Crystal Mountain Resort.

Kim won the Wachovia Championship and the AT&T National, contended for the British Open, finished fourth in the FedEx Cup standings and played a pivotal role in the U.S. winning the Ryder Cup for the first time since 1999.

Was he surprised by the wave of success 2008 brought him and his students? Not at all.

"I can believe it, it's my job to see their potential," Schriber said. "With Anthony, it was no surprise at all."

Schriber got national attention this fall when he analyzed Kim's swing for Golf Digest.

"That was typical Anthony, he told me nothing of the article until it happened," Schriber said. "But I'm really not about that stuff. To a fault, I'm not a self promoter. I feel like I'm good at what I do, and notoriety will come through the people I work with."

Besides Kim's success, Schriber picked up LPGA fan favorite Morgan Pressel as a student in September. A month later, she won the Kapalua LPGA Classic.

"Morgan's still a long way from where I want her to be, but that shows how much talent she's got," Schriber said. "She struck it a little better (that week), but nothing exceptional. The thing we want for her is consistent power, and we really haven't got there yet."

Also finding her way to the LPGA winner's circle was Candie Kung, who won the Hana Bank KOLON Championship in November. Kung, who has been a Schriber student for 10 years, hadn't won since 2003.

"It felt great to know that I was back at that spot," said Kung, who gave up the game for in 2007 and considered retiring. "I was at a point (in 2007) where I couldn't play golf. I put a lot of thought in to what I should do, but I felt like I've been given a talent to play golf and this is what I'm supposed to do."

"He's a very good friend of mine and ever since I've known him he's always wanted the best for me," Kung said. "He's like part of my family. I want to help him as much as he's helped me."

While Schriber has built a stable of touring pros for students, he still has a desire to help the youth of northern Michigan.

"My big goal in Traverse is to get a long-term, quality program where kids play in national tournaments and earn college scholarships," Schriber said. "This is what I'm all about."

Schriber said he is working on getting grant money to fund his junior program. Kim is also interested in supporting the project. Currently, Schriber and head pro Brad Dean have 20 golfers in Crystal Mountain's junior program.

"I've been fortunate to have a few kids help make a name for me, but anything I can do to give back, I want to do," he said.

Photos

Adam Schriber, back right, watches Anthony Kim play at this year's PGA Championship. Special to the Record-Eagle