Editor’s note: This story appeared originally for Connecticut State Golf Association members in the September 16 issue of Global Golf Post. In the ensuing weeks, Roman has finished among the top 10 in each of Loyola’s two fall tournaments.
KENSINGTON, CONNECTICUT | When Jackson Roman is on the course, he knows his numbers – yardage to a pin … 5-iron carry … distance to a hazard … BG.
BG?
Blood glucose.
Roman is a gifted golfer who has Type 1 diabetes. He has no days off with this autoimmune disease and strives to keep his BG in range by balancing food intake, exercise, insulin from a pump and data from a glucose sensor. An insertion needle and adhesive tape secure each device to his body, and insulin is delivered through a cannula.
His BG numbers have been good this season.
His golf numbers have been even better.
Roman, of Shuttle Meadow Country Club in Kensington, reached his first U.S. Amateur by tying for medalist honors at 5-under-par 65 in a July 22 final qualifier at Concord (Massachusetts) CC. The following week, Roman was the first amateur to win the Connecticut Open in 16 years. His 4-under 67 at Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk, Connecticut, gave him a 12-under 201 and a three-shot victory over professional Chris Fosdick (Wallingford CC).
“It’s fulfilling because halfway through the summer I hadn’t really accomplished anything,” said the 21-year-old Roman. “Then it all paid off. My goal has always been to win, but out here it’s not easy at all.”
He was proud not only of his triumphs, but also with his final-round performances. “The week before the U.S. Amateur qualifier, I played decently the first two rounds of the New England Amateur. But in the final round, I hit it terribly,” he said of his 77 that tied him for 48th.
This followed his season at Loyola University Maryland, where he didn’t win any events and had three top-10 and two top-three finishes. Such showings changed this summer when he was co-medalist with Bryson Richards of Plainfield, Vermont, in a U.S. Amateur final qualifier and won the Connecticut Open.
Starting the final round of the latter two shots behind Fosdick, Roman displayed the same quality shot-making that forged a second-round 64. He eagled No. 1 and birdied No. 2 to get off to a quick start. He worried that he had found trouble on No. 11 when he hooked his drive toward a pond, so he hit a provisional.
His initial drive was found in play, but he still was in trouble. His phone – which is synchronized to his glucose sensor – was vibrating alarms. His BG was low at 62. He needed some fast-acting carbohydrates to raise it. If he didn’t, it would drop further. Some typical Type 1 low BG symptoms are confusion, blurred vision and fatigue. If his BG went lower, dangerous unconsciousness could happen.
Before, I feared a little bit when I was leading, thinking negatively if this or that should happen. Tiger said the scoreboard validates your performance. So being ahead or in contention means I’m playing well. That’s all I can control. It reinforced my confidence in the Connecticut Open.” – Jackson Roman
Roman immediately went to his golf bag and ate a quick-acting honey gel. “I pitched the ball back to the fairway and walked a little slower,” he said, trying to give the gel time to raise his BG.
Encouraged by his sister and caddie, Kenna, a top player at Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts, Roman hit his third shot to the green and two-putted for par.
His numbers on and off his scorecard were in order.
Birdies at 12, 13 and 18 offset a bogey at 15, making Roman the first amateur to win the Connecticut Open since Jeff Hedden in 2008.
One significant reason for Roman’s victory was a revised final-round outlook.
“To stay more grounded and not let bad thoughts creep in,” he said. “I remember a Tiger Woods video how he loved looking at scoreboards. Before, I feared a little bit when I was leading, thinking negatively if this or that should happen. Tiger said the scoreboard validates your performance. So being ahead or in contention means I’m playing well. That’s all I can control. It reinforced my confidence in the Connecticut Open.”
The final-round 18th-hole flag is displayed in a room of Roman’s house. Painted above the room’s entry is: “The Roman Golf Studio 2018.” That year the family TV room was converted to include a golf simulator, practice putting green, clubs, bags and numerous golf memorabilia items.
“Oh, I hit lots of balls in there,” Roman said.
He has been determined not to hear from anyone: “Oh, he didn’t work hard enough.” While home from Loyola, he typically works with trainer and physical therapist Jeff DeLucia in Glastonbury and with Tom Rosati at his Golf Academy at Great River GC in Milford. Before or after that, Roman often is on the range, putting green or course.
His golf focus has been a constant in his life, but it was impacted after he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes during his sophomore collegiate season. He said he had the usual symptoms: thirst, frequent urination, fatigue and weight loss. From July to November of 2022, he lost 45 pounds.
“When you’re playing in the heat and working out a lot, I figured it was just because of that, but then, I knew something wasn’t right,” he said. An A1C test, which measures BG for the past two to three months, of 14.7 late that year confirmed Roman had Type 1. That number, according to the American Diabetes Association, converts to a BG of about 375, and such a continued level could cause life-threatening diabetic ketoacidosis. The ADA says a normal person has an A1C of less than 5.7 percent and a BG reading before a meal of 72-99 milligrams per decileter.
“I was worried,” Roman said.
He had two important questions for his doctors: “Can I still play golf? And can I still eat just about everything?” The answer to both was “yes” with sound, healthful decisions.
“OK, give me what I need, and I’m good to go,” he said.
For the first five months after being diagnosed, Roman gave himself five daily insulin injections, while he was a collegiate medical redshirt. To improve his BG control, he then switched to an insulin pump.
A senior with two years of collegiate athletic eligibility remaining, Roman maintains a career goal of playing on the PGA Tour. His favorite tour player is not Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy; it’s Eric Cole.
Most importantly, since Roman was diagnosed he has received sustained support from his family: father, Scott; mother, Kate; and Kenna. Roman’s health has improved. He’s sturdy and athletic at 6 feet and 200 pounds, and typically averages 300 yards off the tee.
Roman returned to college for the fall golf season, after he shot 74-75 in the stroke-play portion of the U.S. Amateur in Chaska, Minnesota. Though he missed the cut to advance to match-play at Hazeltine National, his confidence in his game has only been bolstered.
A senior with two years of collegiate athletic eligibility remaining, Roman maintains a career goal of playing on the PGA Tour. His favorite tour player is not Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy; it’s Eric Cole, who grinded for years on the mini-tours before finally earning his PGA Tour card and becoming rookie of the year at age 35 while leading the tour with 37 starts. Like Roman, Cole was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes plus Addison’s disease in his second year in college. Cole also wears an insulin pump and BG monitor and keeps sugar-free protein bars in his bag for when his BG is stable and Sour Patch Kids and Starburst candy to consume when it dips.
“Cole’s amazing,” Roman said. “Week in, week out he’s a grinder. I see myself in him. And he’s also a Type 1, but that has never been an anchor for him. He has never let it hold him back from what he wants to do.”