JEFFERSON TWP — Jimmy Ellis has big goals.

He’s also had some big victories in his young life as a golfer.

The just-turned 16-year-old sophomore at Knoch High School has a case full of trophies in his Butler home. He added another over the weekend when he won a National Junior Golf Tour stop at Arrowhead Country Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

His round of 3-over-par 75 earned him the title in the 14-15 age group. The score was the lowest of anyone in any age group in the event.

“It just tells me my game can travel,” Ellis said.

Conditions at Arrowhead were much different than what Ellis is used to in Western Pennsylvania.

Everything from the speed of the greens to the grass on the fairway was different.

Ellis, though, had the opportunity to play several rounds before the event, which helped him adapt to the different conditions.

Playing a lot of golf comes naturally to him.

His typical day in the summer begins early in the morning when he is dropped off at the home of his grandfather, Frank Colosimo, who first introduced him to the game of golf when Ellis was 5.

Ellis spends the morning chipping, putting and driving in the range.

Hours and hours of practice — which has paid off in a big way.

“I would say I have cut five to 10 strokes off my score this summer,” Ellis said. “I’m hoping to get my average down to par next year.”

This summer, his average has been hovering around 79, which has been plenty good enough.

One of Ellis’ strengths is his ability to leave the last shot — good or bad — behind him.

“I think about it for about a minute,” Ellis said. “I think about it for as long as it takes me to walk to my next shot.”

His short memory and coolness under pressure came about thanks to the advice of his grandfather.

It has permeated every part of his game and has helped him cope with the enormous pressures of big tournaments like the one he won in Myrtle Beach.

“I just swing toward the target,” Ellis said. “That’s all I can do from shot to shot.”

Simple, but effective.

Ellis has tackled improving his game from all angles, including weight lifting.

Only 5-foot-5 and 125 pounds, Ellis works out with a personal trainer to work on strengthening his core and improving his flexibility. He hopes this will add distance to his game off the tee.

He currently averages about 235 yards on his drives. He hopes the added distance will cut down his scores.

“If I don’t have to use long irons and can use a wedge instead to reach the green, that’ll help,” Ellis said.

Ellis has lofty goals for the high school season. He hopes to make the PIAA Championships.

He said the competition he saw this summer and the wealth of solid golfers he’ll see among his teammates with the Knights will help him reach that goal.

“Myself as a player, I love to compete,” Ellis said. “It’s one of the best things about golf.”

Ellis has even loftier goals beyond high school. One day he hopes to be a professional golfer.

“I know it will be tough,” Ellis said. “But I’m willing to do what I have to do to get there. I hope to start in college at Division I or at a good college. I’m not afraid of the challenge.”