I am Luke Ruffing and this is my story.
From the time I was 4 years old, it became rather apparent that I was not destined for a traditional childhood. I would not be getting on the bus each morning for the next 13 years of my life. Nor would I spend the four “free” years after that at the best college I could get into.
I would take a different track.
My mom sat me down at a makeshift desk when I was four and began teaching me to read, add, and subtract. The classroom at home did not last more than a couple of months, but that does not mean that I was sent to school. It simply meant that my mom quickly realized there was more to childhood than book learning. (Did I mention that she is a wise woman?)
Neither I nor any of my five younger siblings have gone to a traditional school, and we all like it that way. Through the years, we’ve developed friendships and connections with other homeschooled kids. I’ve seen some of them move onto that more traditional college route, but I never wanted to.
As a child I was allowed to spend time during the days just enjoying childhood and pursuing what I wanted to learn. I can not tell you how grateful I am for this. Because of this freedom that my parents gave to me I was able to use it responsibly. Most people I know, when given freedom, use that freedom to rebel. I saw it as an opportunity to do the right thing and to improve myself.
When I started playing soccer and basketball, even at four-years-old, I made it a point to always give my best. Integrity is extremely important to me. I believe that if someone is paying you to do a job, you should strive to do it as well as you possibly can and take pride in what you’ve accomplished. I am always striving to get better. To me there is nothing that feels worse than having to look in the mirror at the end of the day and realize that I could’ve done something better, or given more of myself.
Sports and other extracurricular activities have gotten us interacting with other people from the community: both peers and adults. As a fourteen-year-old, I tried out for the baseball team of the local high school and earned a varsity spot. I played with that team for four years, earning a position as captain.
Golf has been a constant in my life since I started walking, and on courses like Natanis in Vassalboro, Maine, and Belgrade Lakes Golf Club, I have learned as much or more as many get out of a traditional classroom. I was able to convert my passion into trophies and newspaper write-ups when I joined the high school golf team, playing the number-one position for four years. That led to plenty of tournament play, here in Maine and throughout New England.
I’ve always been someone who has enjoyed the climb in whatever I have pursued. The world of golf is the best place I can find to explain it. I started my first full year of playing as a junior at thirteen-years-old. I would go out day after day, round after round, learning new things each and every time out. I would experiment as much as I could. I spent the next couple years really learning how tournament play worked. As Grantland Rice once said, ”There are three types of golf: golf, tournament golf, and Major championship golf.” I learned how to grind a good score out of a bad day, and how to take the days when you’re playing well and make it your personal best. Finally came the last couple years when I was really able to fine tune my practice and preparation. My focus during the round improved dramatically, allowing me to play my best each time out.
My job experience includes positions at Belgrade Lakes Golf Club, L.L. Bean, and Barnes & Noble Booksellers.
While I have gotten something unique out of each experience, I have approached them all in the same manner: with creativity, determination, hard work, the desire to lead, and a vision that keeps me on the lookout for what others may have missed.