Personal Info
- Height: 6’ 4”
- Weight: 195 lbs.
- Birth date: October 7, 1994
- School: Spotswood High School
- Hometown: Harrisonburg, Virginia
Coach's Comments
If I ever met anyone who seemed to be born to play golf, it's Robbie Failes. He can be found at the course something like 300 days per year, and he always seems as happy to be there as he was the day before.
And he has a real talent for the game too — as evidenced by the 72 he posted in a junior tour event in 2007 (at Old Trail), and by the drubbing he gave his coach 5 years ago; he was two under par in a 5-hole match, beating his coach 3 & 1. Not bad for a 12-year old.
Now Robbie is 17, and at 6'4" he's becoming an even more imposing figure on the golf course.
Robbie Failes
QUICK UPDATE (Winter 2011-12) — Robbie recently finished his junior season at Spotswood, a season that could be described as "steady as she goes". In many ways the Valley District season was like his first two: he medaled (or tied) in 6 of 7 tournaments, was the District Player of the Year, had a scoring average under par (70.86), made the All-Region Team, and advanced to the State Championship. What made this year different was that he dragged his team along with him: Spotwood won the regular season, won the District Championship, finished second in the Regional Championship, and advanced to the State Championship for the first time in close to 30 years! His teammates clearly stepped it up in 2011, and Robbie provided the leadership they needed to have a phenomenal season.
Outside the District, Robbie continued to build his resume as well. He rose to be the 8th ranked junior in Virginia in his graduating class (2013) on the strength of his appearances in elite junior events including three top-6 finishes on the College Prep Tour, as well as strong showings in the Bobby Bowers, the State Junior Am, and a Junior World Qualifier.
As we head into winter, Robbie has earned a little "break", which means running the floor for the Spotswood basketball team.
See Robbie's Swing Videos and my comments on each.
Amateur Highlights
2011
• Junior season for Spotswood High School (2011) — Shot career low 65 in first day qualifier; 4 regular season wins, 1 tie, 1 2nd; Valley District Tournament individual champion; Finished a cumulative (-2) for the 7 district events; District Player of the Year for third 
straight year; All-Region honors; Helped Spotswood to regular season and tournament championships, regional runner-up, and a trip to the VHSL AA State Tournament
• 3 College Prep Golf Tour events with two 2nd place finishes and a T6
• T4 at Callaway Junior World Qualifier at Cannon Ridge in Fredericksburg
• 71 in first round of VSGA State Junior Amateur at Cedar Point Country Club
• Earned 6 seed at 2011 Bobby Bowers with 72 in stroke play qualifier
• Ranked #8 in Virginia 2013 graduating class (Junior Golf Scoreboard)
2010
• Sophomore season for Spotswood High School (2010) — Won 5 of 6 regular-season District matches; Massanutten District "Player of the Year" for the second time in two seasons; co-medalist in the District Championship; All-Regional Team; and qualifier for the State Championship.
• 2010 Bobby Bowers Memorial quarterfinalist; earned #3 seed in 14-15 division
• Capital Area Golf Tour Fairfax Open winner 14-15 division; First Citizens Junior Golf Tour Birdwood Golf Club winner 16-18 division
• 2010 Jerry Haas' Wake Forest Golf Camp tournament winner
• MAPGA's 2010 Spring Fling winner of 14-15 division; 4th overall (2-round event at Cannon Ridge Golf Club in Fredericksburg, VA)
• 2010 MAPGA Capital Cup Team Member (Virginia vs. Maryland)
2009
• Freshman season for Spotswood High School — 2009 Massanutten District "Player of the Year"; birdied the final hole of his first high-school tournament to tie for first, then went on to medal in all but one of the remaining regular season tournaments; had three rounds in the 60s; shot 72 to win 12-team Spotswood Invitational; led his team to the regular-season championship; won the District Championship by 11 shots, leading his team to another victory; and was the only player in the District to advance past the Regional tournament and play in the State tournament
• Won MAPGA event at Richmond CC (14-15 age division); Won 2 First Citizens Junior Tour events (summer '09)
2008 and prior
• 2008-2009 TPS Champion; won 4 Lakeview Junior Tour events
• On various junior tours in 2008, only had one round above 80, winning 5 tournaments (12-13 age division).
• In the 2008 Virginia State Golf Association 13-&-under Championship at Independence Golf Club in Midlothian, shot 76-71 to finish 4th in his age bracket among state-wide competitors.
• 2007-2008 Champion in the TPS (won the most points during the season)
• First career hole-in-one on Lakeview's Peak #8 (summer '08)