GUYTON — Aaron Elmore’s mental thermostat is permanently stuck on “cool.”

That’s why South Effingham coach Mitchell Curry thinks his talented senior landed an opportunity to play golf at the collegiate level.

“He never gets flustered. He never gets frustrated,” Curry said Nov. 13 after Elmore signed a national letter of intent to attend NAIA Montreat College. “The game of golf is so mental and he is just steady. He never gets upset even if he has a bad day.”

Elmore’s bad days are rare.

“He’s super talented,” Curry said. “He’s got a lot of coaching from his dad, from his granddad. I’m just a facilitator for somebody as talented as Aaron.

“His demeanor and attitude on the course are what make him a great player.”

Elmore’s calm bearing was on display during last year’s Region 2-AAAAA tournament.

“He had a playoff — he was tied for a spot in the state tournament — and you would have thought it was just another hole,” Curry said. “He approaches every hole like that — just steady and cool as a cucumber.”

Curry wishes Elmore’s temperament was contagious because it would boost his entire team.

“I think a lot of that is innate,” the coach said. “It comes natural but, I think, in golf you have to learn to be persistent and maintain that composure because it is such a mental game.”

Elmore used to be a bit of a hothead.

“When I was younger, I would get pretty mad when I hit a bad shot,” he said. “I eventually learned that just makes it worse for you. It doesn’t help you all.”

Elmore is thrilled that Montreat, a private liberal arts college in North Carolina, is affording him an opportunity to hone his skills against rugged competition.

 “It means everything,” he said. “I’ve wanted to do it all my life. I’ve wanted to play college golf and pursue that.

“I’m ready.”

Montreat’s courtship of Elmore lasted about two months. He opted for joining the Cavaliers almost as soon as he saw their beautiful campus.

“The school looks nice,” he said. “I liked the coach (John Sullivan). The coach is really nice.”

Elmore hasn’t decided his course of study.

Before heading for the North Carolina hills, Elmore has lots to do here. The Mustangs are aiming to qualify for the state tournament after missing by a stroke last year

“We have a lot of good players coming back and we certainly hope Aaron will be the leader,” Curry said.