Luis Gagne’s Drive is on Par!

From the moment he picked up a golf club for the first time at 3 years old, Luis Gagne never wanted to be anything other than a professional golfer.

Nearly 20 years later, Gagne achieved the dream that he always wanted as a kid.

Golf entered the life of Gagne within three years, but he did entertain the idea of basketball for a brief time. Once he realized basketball did not hold his future, Gagne was all in on golf.

The age of 3 was a significant year for Gagne, as he not only started the sport that would become so important to him, but he also moved to America from his home country, Costa Rica. Although he was young, Gagne still had to adjust to cultural differences between his two homes.

“I remember in pre-school, people were speaking English to me, and I was like, ‘What’s going on here?’ I picked up English when I was 4 or 5,” Gagne said.

Although he was one of the highest ranked recruits in the country out of high school, there was no additional pressure on him from this status. The Orlando Christian Prep graduate showed up to college with confidence in his ability. However, he soon realized that everyone was good, which takes time for athletes of his prowess to adjust to.

After growing up in Florida, Gagne was pretty set on playing for the University of Florida or Florida State. He entertained the idea of Auburn, and certainly never even thought about LSU.

That was until his friend Philip Barbaree asked him if he would consider being a Tiger. Gagne’s recruiting visit was soon set up, which included a deserted campus and classic Louisiana rain. Despite those circumstances, Gagne’s decision was made. And, he was about to become one of the greatest players in LSU Men’s Golf history.

The three-time All-American and four-time event champion wrote a list of accolades that fills an entire page. His attributes his collegiate success to his teammates and their ability to provide great competition, daily.

“I would have to say the first couple years I improved a good bit, quick. Our team was always pretty good, but the team my first two years was really good. I had good competition every single day, which really pushed me to be better. My roommate was Sam Burns, and we were really competitive with each other with golf and in the gym. If our trainer said to do eight reps, I would do 10 and he would look over and do 11. That was a big part,” Gagne said.

While still competing as an amateur, Gagne played in some major tournaments that taught him valuable lessons.

In the U.S. Open, there are two stages to qualify: locals and sectionals. Gagne believed he did not play well enough in locals to qualify for the next round, so he went to get a massage after he finished playing. Following it, his phone was lit up with missed calls and texts. Another player, Christian DiMarco, told him they had tied for the last qualifying spot. Thus, a coin flip decided Gagne’s fate, and it was on his side that day. He moved onto sectionals, where he played well and secured his spot in the U.S. Open.

His final event as an amateur was the Arnold Palmer Invitational, where Gagne represented the international team of his home country: Costa Rica. He helped his team win the event, despite not ever being predicted to win.

“Being able to go out with a bang was really cool. We definitely weren’t the favorite, because the U.S. team is typically better. Everyone just played really well and it was our week. It was a bunch of fun,” Gagne recalled.

Following his illustrious career at LSU, Gagne embarked on the dream that he had since he was that little three-year-old kid. However, early in Gagne’s professional career, he had to endure one of the greatest pains of golf.

Gagne went to Q-school shortly after turning pro, made it through the first stage, and played well through the second stage. He thought he signed his scorecard, and left to get lunch. His phone rang with a call from the tournament director, and he would have never expected to hear what came through on the other end.

Gagne had not signed his scorecard, and he was disqualified from the tournament.

“I was stunned and frozen for a little bit. I definitely shed some tears, and it was heartbreaking. But, life goes on and I know it wasn’t going to be my last chance at it,” Gagne said.

Golf is one of the cruelest sports, and Gagne knows this firsthand. He emphasizes the importance of having a short memory in order to keep pushing forward. There can be stretches where four or five tournaments are not going well, but the ability to continue working hard is what can separate the best athletes from the rest.

Also to start his professional stint, Gagne chose to represent Costa Rica as opposed to the U.S. He hopes to represent both throughout his career, as golfers are allowed a one-time switch in terms of competing for different countries. Gagne’s goal is to make the Olympic team for each country, and therefore test himself against the best in the world.

A final aspect of Gagne’s early professional career is a world-wide pandemic that interrupted competition. Regardless of any disappointment resulting from an absence of golf, Gagne was able to use the time to his advantage.

“At first, I was in Baton Rouge. Once I realized it was serious, I went back to Orlando. It ended up being a good thing. I got with a new coach and we started working well together. I also got to spend more time with my family, which I wouldn’t have gotten to do if I was playing,” Gagne said.

Gagne holds his family close to him, as they are the primary reason for his continued motivation. Since they want the best for him, Gagne is driven to give his best for them.

Even though Tiger Woods might be the reason Gagne wanted to play golf, his dad is one of his greatest role models.

“I really look up to him. He owns a construction company, and he’s 60 years old and just works. I think I work hard, getting up at 6 a.m. and going to the gym at 7, and he’s already been up since like 4,” Gagne said.

Despite his humility, Gagne has worked tremendously hard to get to where he is, and he is set on the places he wants to go. He hopes to be on the PGA Tour by age 27, where he will stay until the time to walk away has come. And, he hopes to have a long, healthy and successful career.

But, when asked what his number one goal is, the true athlete and competitor comes out.

“Win. Win as much as I can,” Gagne said.