Posted January 13, 2026 in Alumni Profile
We caught up with Lawrence 2019 alum Harry Thorp, a PGA golf professional in Florida, about his professional journey. He opened up about the grit it took to reach his goals, the leadership skills he built as a Lion, and how advocating for himself at Lawrence paved the way for his success in the golf industry.
Since graduating from Lawrence, what have you been up to?
I went to Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach and earned my degree in Business Management, along with a degree in PGA Golf Management. Lately, I’ve been teaching at the Don Law Golf Academy in Boca Raton, doing everything from private lessons to adult and kids’ classes.
I recently passed the PAT (Playing Ability Test). It’s a huge part of getting your PGA membership, and I took it 15 times before finally breaking through in the fall. I’d finished the school side of the program two years ago, but I was short of my membership because of the playing requirement. Finally reaching that goal was incredibly satisfying.
Fifteen tries show incredible perseverance. What kept you motivated?
This is just what I’ve always wanted to do. I had to be honest with myself and realize I wasn’t always giving it 100%. This last time, I really put in the work—extra hours after my shifts, which was tough because I’m working so much now. I kept looking back at the success I had at Lawrence, like those two golf championships. I knew the game was in there; I just had to put in the work to prove it.
What was that moment like when you did pass the PAT?
I basically cried right on the 36th hole. I just sat down on the green while everyone was finishing up and shook my head—it finally happened. My girlfriend was there watching, which actually helped keep my heart rate down and kept me calm.
I called my mom first, then my dad. They’d been waiting for this as much as I had. There were so many times I wanted to quit, but they kept pushing me. I also reached out to the pros at the Academy who helped me with my swing and my mental game. One pro moved my right hand over on the club just a tiny bit, and suddenly I was hitting it straighter, and the confidence clicked. We celebrated with a big dinner that night. It was special.
Do you come from a golf family? How did you first get into the game?
No, I don’t come from a golf family. My parents had some clubs cut down for me when I was three, and I’d just hit balls in the front yard. My mom actually had to hustle to find me a coach; she found a guy when I was five, but he told her he didn’t take anyone under eight. She told him, “Look, he’s back here breaking windows, can you give him a shot?” He took me on and gave me my foundation. I grew up on a par-three course in New York; I probably played more rounds there than anyone in town.
Now that you’re officially a PGA member, what’s next?
I want to become a Master Teaching Professional. My big goal is to be ranked in the Top 50 young teachers in Florida within the next five years. I also want to get involved with PGA HOPE, teaching disabled veterans. I’m a certified US Kids instructor now, and I’d love to see my name in Golf Digest for their coaching rankings someday.
What’s the best part about living and working in Boca Raton?
The weather, 100%. Seeing palm trees and 75 degrees in the winter is a whole different world. Moving to a warmer climate was actually a goal I had way back at Lawrence. Plus, being a PGA member here is great. I get to play all these amazing courses at a discount. It’s the perfect spot to start a career.
Who were your biggest influences in the game?
Tiger, obviously, but Jordan Spieth was my guy in 2013. I copied his whole vibe—the cross-handed putting grip, the gear, everything. But lately, Rory McIlroy has been my biggest inspiration. He went 10 years without a major and kept getting knocked down, but he finally broke through. During my PAT, I kept telling myself, “I’m going to have my Rory moment today.”
How did Lawrence prepare you for college and your career?
Lawrence taught me how to advocate for myself. They showed me how to walk into the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services at Coastal and speak up. They also taught me how to study. I had no clue how to do that before Lawrence. Strategies like highlighting keywords or re-reading questions literally got me through college.
In public school, I was afraid to speak up because teachers weren’t always approachable. At Lawrence, it’s an accepted thing to need help. It made me comfortable enough to go to my college professors and say, “This is what I need.” I wouldn’t have known how to do that without Lawrence. I even had a moment at Coastal where I struggled in a summer course, and they were going to let me go. I actually went back to Lawrence for help. We wrote a letter to the university to plead my case, and they took me back.
What are your favorite memories from Lawrence?
Mostly the sports teams. Coach [Alexander] Kubinski was amazing and really supported me during some rough times. Coming from a huge school to Lawrence was a game-changer because I actually knew everyone in my class. For the first time, I felt like I belonged.
I told Mr. [Doug] Hamilton—who did my first tour—that Lawrence basically saved my life. I arrived in 11th grade, and my first two years of high school had been dreadful; college wasn’t even an option. But at Lawrence, it clicked. My grades went up, and doors started opening. Without Mr. Hamilton and Lawrence, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
You led the golf team to back-to-back conference championships. What made those teams so special?
My mom gave me the best advice. She told me, “You’re the leader now. Take them under your wing.” I stopped caring about my own score as much and wanted my teammates to do well. Winning is contagious, and once we got that buy-in, we were good to go. My mom sent me a frame with my senior golf photo and my Lawrence medals. I was looking at it right before I went out for my PAT. I thought, “I’m a two-time champ, I can get this done.” Two weeks later, I passed.
Did golf help you find your focus when things felt challenging in the classroom?
Definitely. At my old schools, I wasn’t even eligible to play because of my grades. I took school extra seriously at Lawrence because I wanted to play so badly. Golf was also a total lifesaver. When things were stressful, I could go to the course and just focus on the game.
What advice would you give current students who learn differently?
I’d tell them to definitely build relationships with their teachers, because they really do want to help. Always ask for help and just be yourself. Everyone at Lawrence is accepting, and building those connections helps you so much down the road.
The teachers at Lawrence take that extra step. In college, they don’t really do that. You have to be the one to go to them. But since Lawrence is such a small environment, the teachers were always checking in to see how I was doing or how an assignment was going. They give great advice, not just about school, but about your future and how to handle college.
I’ll be honest, building those relationships was something I actually struggled with for a bit when I was at Lawrence. I was going through a hard time with a family situation, so I was a little shut down, and I regret that now. So my advice to a new Lawrence student is to get to know your teachers and seek out their help. They want to see you succeed.
I’d also say get involved in sports or after-school activities. My time on the golf and basketball teams was a huge motivator. Even on the tough days, it was so much easier to get up in the morning when I knew I had a game later. It motivated me to work hard in class so I could get out there and play.