Between shots on the golf course, Bill McKay, Jr. lets his mind wander.

"Probably just a song," said McKay of what he's thinking between shots. "No particular song, maybe just something I heard recently."

His casual approach to golf is apparent in the way he answers questions - indifferent and low key. But don't be fooled, this kid can play.

That's what happens when you're surrounded at a young age by woods and irons, instead of plush toys and Lincoln Logs. Growing up, McKay followed his father and grandfather on the golf course, chipping and putting around the greens while they played. McKay said it was mainly his father that helped cultivate his love for the game, and that love has translated into recent success.

In 2004, as a captain, McKay led his Grand Blanc High School golf team to a state championship while also collecting an individual state title for himself.

One year later, he shot a course record (-6) 66 at Fieldstone to become the youngest player ever to qualify for the Buick Open Championship, held at his home course (Warwick Hill Country Club) in Grand Blanc. He even tied with the likes of Tiger Woods and Paul Azinger after shooting a first round 71 (he missed the cut after the second round). This year he made a return trip to the Buick Open on a sponsorship exemption and even though he didn't fare as well the second time around (he shot +17 in two rounds), his credentials speak for themselves.

His mind may wander, but he's always in the game.

"You get out there and you practice and you spend a lot of time pushing yourself and staying out there until it's dark outside," McKay said. "You just want to keep on visualizing that position where you've got the chance to win a golf tournament and hopefully you can perform at that moment."

McKay's success can not only be attributed to his work ethic, but also his ability to tune out the outside pressures that may affect other young golfers (his toughest critic, he claims, is himself). Lucky for him he won't have to worry too much about outside pressure at Michigan. That's because no one has even noticed the Michigan men's golf team recently.

Since McKay was born in 1988, the golf team hasn't won a conference title. More alarming is the fact that the team has only finished the season ranked nationally once (No. 25 in 1997) since 1969, 19 years before McKay was even born.

For now, McKay is just like any other incoming freshman. Asked how anxious he is to attend Michigan and begin golfing for the Wolverines, there was a rise in McKay's voice and a grin could be heard from across the phone line.

"Oh, I can't wait," McKay said. "I'm still counting down the days until I head up (to Ann Arbor) for welcome week."

And once he hits the links in Ann Arbor, there's no question what song will be wandering through his head between shots.

"Hail to the victors valiant ."

Notes: Michigan golfer Tim Schaetzel has earned a qualifying spot for this year's U.S. Amateur Championship in Chaska, Minnesota.

The Atlanta, Georgia native shot a four-under-par total of 140 over 36 holes at his sectional qualifier in Duluth, Georgia. His performance was good enough for a second-place tie, earning him one of the sectional's five qualifying spots.

The U.S. Amateur Championships are held from August 21-27 at the Hazeltine Golf Club in Chaska