Feature Friday: The Plunkett Brothers

Feature Friday highlights the tremendous personal stories our coaches and cadet-athletes have to share on a weekly basis. Each Friday, a new feature story will be prominently highlighted on GoArmyWestPoint.com. The features will include multi-media pieces, as well as written stories by media outlets and the Army West Point athletic communications staff.

Like many teams and organizations at West Point, the Army golf team is a brotherhood. When you are part of a passionate group with only nine athletes and a team that travels around the country for various events, you are bound to develop a special bond with those around you.

On the Army golf team, the bond existed between biological brothers in Marcus Plunkett and Matt Plunkett long before their arrival at West Point. The two always knew that they would play alongside each other in college, but the where was the issue.

The uncertainty was short-lived however, as Brian Watts, the head coach of the Army golf team, expressed his interest during Marcus' senior year at a tournament down in their home state of Florida.

"I first met Marcus and their father in Florida at a junior golf tournament," said Watts. "Marcus was part of the second recruiting class since I became the coach, so when I was on the road I was recruiting everyone unless they were committed to another school. He didn't play very well and I actually told him his game was going to have to improve if I was going to continue recruiting him.

"Marcus was challenged by me and proved me wrong. He was able to lower his scores and earn the last spot for his recruiting class. I wasn't really looking for another player, but anyone who takes a challenge and proves they deserve a chance, you have to give it to them in my eyes"

Although their paternal grandfather fought for the United States during World War II and their maternal grandfather was in the Swedish Air Force, Marcus and Matt hadn't initially considered a military path or the U.S. Military Academy.

"I always imagined us playing collegiate golf together," Marcus explained. "We had one year in high school where we were able to play together and it was awesome. Knowing that he was one of my best friends, I would want him to be on the same team as me. I don't really know if I saw us both going into the military, but now that we're here I am excited for both of us to start off our military careers together."

"I didn't know much about West Point until Marcus started looking here," said Matt. "I didn't really understand the concept of it at all and then I came here for his R-Day and it was a huge shock. But I knew I wanted to be where Marcus was. It was a tremendous opportunity and I wanted to play golf on the same team as Marcus. It was something I couldn't pass up."

It was also something that Coach Watts did not want to pass up on.

"Matt was convinced early that wherever 'big brother' was attending college, this is where he would be going," Watts shared. "So, I was recruiting several players who were competing in Puerto Rico for an AJGA event. It didn't take long to see that Matt had some great talent and would be a huge addition to the Army golf program as long as he was committed to the West Point and Army values."

Coach Watts was not the only person at Army that wanted Matt to join the team. Marcus, a freshman at the academy at this point in time, knew the kind of asset his younger brother would be to the program, and admits that he wasn't surprised about Matt's commitment.

"Matt and Marcus are so close that Matt's intentions were to follow his brother to West Point," Watts said. "His game proved to be in a place where it was easy for me to give him a spot after watching him compete at the junior level."

"I basically knew he was going to come here the whole time," Marcus confessed. "I could have gone anywhere and he would have followed me. I was excited to have him on the team. The Army golf team is already like a family, but to have your own blood on the team is different, it's really cool."

Matt, who was already convinced that he wanted to follow in his brother's footsteps at West Point, was at ease making his final decision to attend the academy with some encouragement from his older brother who was already a cadet.

"Marcus was supportive," said Matt. "He told me it was going to be a huge challenge and something I had to overcome, a big obstacle. He also told me that if I wanted to do this I needed to commit to it. It's a big commitment, but it's worth it. So, I committed my sophomore year."

The two would have to wait three years to play on the same team again, but the struggles and triumphs were very much worth it to play the game that they loved alongside one another.

"We've gone through ups and downs with the game," said Matt. "It's frustrating, but we've always played golf. Even when we were little we both started playing when we were six so this is our sport. Some kids play football and basketball, but golf has always been our sport."

The two are finally reunited on one team and brotherhood once more for Matt's freshman year and Marcus' senior season. The two have brought more than just athletic talent to the program, but more of a raw understanding of brotherhood to the already tight-knit group.

"You can tell Marcus is the big brother as Matt loves just being around him," explained Watts. "It is hard to see one without the other too far away. They will do anything in the world for each other and any teammate! They bring a bigger sense of family to the team, something they learned from loving and positive parents who allowed them to fall down and get back up on their own."

Both Plunkett's have continued to make an everlasting impact on the team, whether on the course, or off.

"Marcus has a made a huge impact within the Army golf program," Watts said. "His leadership off and on the course has grown over the last few years and the team loves his competitive spirit. He has been able to continue the family culture that our former team captain, Robby Hill was able to develop.

"Having Matt in the program now has been a great addition. Marcus doesn't cut him any slack and probably is harder on him than anyone else. They truly are each other's best friends! This wouldn't be possible without having a great family environment growing up. The Plunkett family is amazingly close and they have also been part of the reason why our parents of the team are so close. I couldn't be more appreciative of the support we have throughout the program."

However, the two credit the family atmosphere in the program to Coach Watts.

"Coach Watts has really done a good job recruiting kids that are bonded to the program," commented Marcus. "Ones that want to be a part of something that is bigger than themselves. I think that produces a family atmosphere where everyone is selfless and is willing to put in the work towards one goal. That breathes brotherhood. Like Matt says, we go through hardships here, we are in the gym and put in long hours on the course, but I think at the end of the day all the guys on the team are family.

"I think Coach Watts is an absolute great guy. He has been there for both Matt and I. I have been through some individual struggles here that he has been able to help me through. He has increased my maturity and allowed me to give my all. I think he has helped everyone on the team with who we are and how we can be a better person on and off the golf course."

"The guys in general are really strongly bonded," added Matt. "In golf you have a lot of time to talk and discuss and it is very mental. So we have a lot of time to around each other which helps us understand each other. We eat lunch and dinners together so we really bond a lot. Everyone on the team is my brother and I would do anything for them. Coach Watts gives us everything to be the best, but leaves it up to us to push ourselves."

Not only are the two on the same team, but they were able to play as a duo for the inaugural Bush Cup at the Winged Foot Golf Club against Yale in October.

With the Plunketts' help, Army was able to tie the match on a four-point comeback. The two admit that the Bush Cup experience was something they'd never forget, not because it was a big team comeback, but because they got to compete as partners.

"The Bush Cup is something I will remember for the rest of my life," Marcus said. "It was an awesome experience. We had a good dynamic. It sounds cliché, but we are pretty much the same person. I knew how he was going to react so I could manage his emotions and give him good advice since I know him better than anyone else."

"We played really well together," Matt shared. "We knew we were going to win when we teed off because look at this combo it's just crazy. It was fun to compete with him and to experience that was awesome. We are just a strong team – him and I."

The two have always considered themselves best friends, but going through the experiences of the U.S. Military Academy together and playing side by side at the Bush Cup has truly made them more appreciative of each other.

"I think we are closer now because we see each other going through a tremendous struggle when we are faulting and during our weakest moments," confessed Matt. "If I'm having a rough day he can correct me and help me up. We understand each other more and help build off our weaknesses here more than ever."

"It was great that we could experience West Point together," said Marcus. "I try to help him out as much as possible. I try to give him advice and he doesn't always listen, but he comes back a week later saying he wishes he did."

Listening to his big brother's advice has worked out well so far for Matt. Why stop now?

Click here to read previous Feature Friday stories.

Army West Point Athletics

Feature Friday: The Plunkett Brothers

Players Mentioned

Robby Hill

Marcus Plunkett

Matt Plunkett

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