Meet two brothers who will not accept average as a golf score!
In fact, hand them a dirt road to four-wheel on, a mountain to climb, or a board game to play and its game on for Jaxen and Kai Pastores.
However, competition quickly fades into mutual respect and admiration when the two take their talents onto the greens. The boys, described as two peas in a pod by their father Jan, have moved to an outdoor paradise they love and respect. This admiration seems to be reflective in the warm welcome they have received from the Mesa community.
Jaxen and Kai relocated to the East Valley from Alabama, with their dad, in the summer of 2019, just before golf team tryouts at Red Mountain High School — Jaxen’s senior and Kai’s junior year in high school. When the energetic duo arrived in Arizona on the Fourth of July, they were able to meet high school golf coach, Frank Campos, who in turn introduced the boys to a new golf family, leading to many new friendships.
“Red Mountain High School welcomed the boys with open arms,” remembers their dad. Coach Campos was eager to meet the hopefuls, knowing that their Alabama golf resumes were strong. He was also very aware of the differences in Alabama golf versus Arizona golf. The boys would be adapting from cold, spring seasonal play to fall play here in Arizona.
“The course lengths here in Arizona are a little longer and the weather is, well, much warmer,” Coach Campos informed them. Soon after tryouts though came the realization that these solid players had earned top spots on the team.
And what an impression the boys made their first year in Arizona. Besides leading the Lions into the State playoffs, the older of the duo, Jaxen, earned the title of East Valley Region Player of the Year. Both Jaxen and Kai were named to the All East Valley Region Team. Additionally, Jaxen won the Mesa City Championship in 2019 with Kai placing runner up to his older brother.
And, the Red Mountain Lions have recently ended their fall golf season for 2020. Once again Kai participated in the State competition, winning the East Valley Region Championship. Upcoming decisions might be, will Kai follow in his brother’s footsteps, staying close to home, or will he blaze his own path? The options have been promising for both athletes.
Why Golf?
As children the boys played multiple sports in Alabama, including baseball, football and basketball, which often included travel team play, constantly keeping them on-the-go. But the demands of high school sports compelled the competitors to focus their choice in athletics. During their sophomore and freshman year, Jaxen and Kai, respectively, chose golf over football. Varsity level golfing was something they had each experienced since the seventh grade.
Jaxen claims that his golf game emerged quickly from playing on weekends with his dad to competitive tournament play as a seventh grader. His natural skills helped him choose golf as his sport of focus as his school years progressed. “Besides,” he admitted, “the football and basketball athletes got much taller and bigger than me physically in high school.”
But it’s not just the golf course that holds the attention of Jaxen, Kai and their biggest fan, their father Jan. The boys are also distance runners. Together, with their dad, they workout, attend hot yoga classes (their dad’s favorite), hike, bike, and when they are not practicing their swing at the Longbow golf course’s driving range or getting in a weekend round, you might find them four-wheeling the dirt roads of Bulldog Canyon in the Tonto National Forest or climbing to the top of Camelback Mountain. With a zest for exploring and staying in physical shape, it appears that the Pastores boys don’t let any grass grow beneath their feet.
Meet the two hopefuls:
Kai Evan Pastores – age 17
Kai shares the same birthdate with the late American professional golfer Ben Hogan, prominent for his great influence on golf swing theory and renowned ball-striking ability.
His No. 1 secret to becoming a championship golfer is to remain confident and swing smoothly. He practices this confidence by utilizing a sort of live in the moment outlook.
His dad, who has been an incredibly supportive influence, reminds Kai when he is preparing for a high-pressure event, “You’ve made it to the dance, now it’s time to dance.” His dad often reminds Kai that he is in his element when relaxed, allowing himself to remove the stress of it all and have fun. That is when Kai plays his best golf.
Even when he is not in a tournament or at the driving range, Kai stays close to the greens with his new job at The Patio & Grille at Las Sendas. As a line cook, he has received various compliments regarding his work ethic and dedication in the kitchen. After completing his senior year at Red Mountain High School this spring, Kai’s goal is to attend a college that offers culinary programs while continuing to play golf. “I aspire to work in the fine dining restaurants in the City of Scottsdale, such as Maple and Ash,” says the high school senior. Kai’s dream is to become a chef. He has fallen in love with culinary and the lifestyle that accompanies it.
Jaxen Severiano Pastores – age 19
Jaxen is named after his dad’s favorite golfer — Severiano Ballesteros from Spain. His abilities are influenced by several professionals, including Tiger Woods, Brooks Koepka, and Dustin Johnson. Even more than their love of golf, Jaxen is inspired by their love of fitness. Besides gathering putting or chipping techniques, he is drawn to learning about their workouts.
Jaxen is quick to refer to his younger brother as his best friend, adding that the two of them are known as the Dynamic Duo on the golf course. He and Kai keep each other’s game in check. Whether they are working out, riding bikes, or off-roading with mutual friends, “it’s competitive,” says Jaxen.
As a first-year college student, Jaxen attends Mesa Community College on a golf scholarship. He is studying business, realizing the importance of the necessary background to pursue his dream of working in a physical and/or a personal training setting.
Perhaps the rising golf competitors’ futures can be summed up with a quote by Ferris Bueller, profiled on Jaxen’s Instagram page — “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”