Hamilton Coleman
Evans
,
GA
Age: 12 - 13
Gender: Boys
Region: East
The Path to the National Finals
Qualifying Path
Should a player advance through local qualifying, the subregional and regional qualifying sites are pre-determined based upon the local qualifying site. The player is not guaranteed participation in the subregional qualifier unless he/she advances through local qualifying. The player is not guaranteed participation in the regional qualifier unless he/she advances through local and subregional qualifying.
HOMETOWN:
Augusta, GA
PLAYER BIRTHPLACE:
Augusta, GA
NAME AND LOCATION OF SCHOOL:
Evans Middle School, Evans, GA
GRADE IN SCHOOL:
8
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
West Lake Country Club, Martinez, GA
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
Started playing with plastic clubs as soon as I could walk. I couldn't stop swinging and trying to hit plastic balls so I eventually upgraded to a real set when I turned four.
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
9 holes - 31 18 holes - 65
HANDICAP INDEX:
+2.8
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
My dad bought me a set of plastic clubs and I would hit golf balls in the backyard. My dad taught me the basics of golf. I have loved golf as long as I can remember.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My dad
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
All the kids at West Lake Country Club. I also play a lot with kids that I play with in tournaments. A person that I play with a lot is Zane Madison, who is also competing at the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Doug Spencer of Doug Spencer Academy in Charlotte, NC. He has been my instructor for about a year, and he is one of the top golf instructors in the country according to Golf Digest.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
I like the fact that there is a new challenge every day. Every shot that you will ever hit is different in some way. I also love the process of getting better and the ups and downs that come with it.
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
I love to practice chipping. My favorite way to practice chipping is to have contests with other people with games like 21 or just simple up and down games.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
While the physical part of golf is very challenging, you can't play good golf no matter how talented you are with a bad mental game. Focusing on the mental part of the game is overlooked sometimes, but I think that it is the most important and difficult part of golf.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
Driver
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
My favorite course that I have played so far is Tobacco Road in Sanford, NC. My favorite course of all time is Augusta National.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Making it to the finals of Drive, Chip and Putt and winning several golf tournaments over my golf career.
LOCAL QUALIFYING SITE / RESULTS / MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
I qualified at The Par Tee Driving Range in Columbia, SC. I won the first round. I remember the nerves that I felt the entire round and the relieving feeling of knowing that I made it to the second round.
SUBREGIONAL QUALIFYING SITE / RESULTS / MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
I did my second round at The Spur, also in Columbia, SC. I remember also being very nervous in the sub-regional round and talking to the kid that also made it to the regional round who was really cool and helped calm my nerves a lot.
REGIONAL QUALIFYING SITE / RESULTS / MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
I qualified at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, NC. I remember after we finished the chips that I was in the lead and I had a shot at making it to Augusta. I also remember after I finished putting, I knew that I won and I told my dad and he gave me a big hug.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH OF THE YEARS AND PREVIOUS RESULTS:
I have tried since I was six years old. I made it to the second round twice, but that was the furthest I got before this year.
DID YOU WATCH LAST YEAR’S DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT NATIONAL FINALS ON TELEVISION? IF SO, WHAT IMPACT DID THAT HAVE ON YOUR PARTICIPATION THIS YEAR?
Yes. I watch the Drive, Chip and Putt every year. This year, I watched it on Easter, on my birthday, while it was being held in my city where I was born. It's really cool seeing kids that are my age being able to experience the best golf course in the world.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Driving, chipping and putting
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE MASTERS BEFORE? IF SO, WHEN?
Yes. I went in 2015 and 2016.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MASTERS MEMORY? U.S. OPEN OR U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN MEMORY? PGA CHAMPIONSHIP OR WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP MEMORY?
I remember walking through the gate and seeing the golf course that I see all the time on TV and just how green and magical it felt to be there.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
Anytime it is Sunday at the Masters. There is no better feeling than the weekend of Masters week. My mom and dad also host parties for the Masters every year and my mom makes the best pimento cheese.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Rickie Fowler. He is a really nice guy and I always wanted to be like him as a little kid.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
The Korda sisters. It is really cool to watch two sisters both compete together.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Justin Thomas. He is a good golfer, good person, and super fun to watch.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Jack Nicklaus, Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
No, but I do always say a prayer with my mom or dad before every round of every tournament I've every played in.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?:
New York strip, corn on the cob, green beans, asparagus, a lot of sweet rolls and my mom's chocolate éclair cake.
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
History
FAVORITE SCHOOL TEACHER:
A tie between Mrs. Dunn, who is my 6th grade ELA teacher, or my first grade teacher Mrs. Call.
FAVORITE SPORT (OTHER THAN GOLF):
A tie between baseball or football
FAVORITE MOVIE:
Forrest Gump
FAVORITE SINGER / MUSIC GROUP:
Zac Brown Band
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
The Office
FAVORITE APP:
Youtube
FAVORITE EMOJI:
Laughing and crying Emoji
EXPLAIN ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I like the outdoors (hunting and fishing), baseball and football.
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
Moving from Charlotte, NC to Augusta at the beginning of the summer this year.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
My parents
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Can't never did anything.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOUR GROW UP?
PGA Tour player
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
Quiet, observant, always thinking, always asking questions and I spend a lot of time with my family.
