Remember this name, Holland Giles. You will probably hear it again and again if you follow golf. Holland may be only 12 years old but come Sunday, he will be playing at the Masters. This young man from Pinehurst will be competing in the 2018 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at the Masters.
The Drive, Chip and Putt National competition is nationwide junior skills competition open to boys and girls ages 7-15, is an initiative created by the Masters Tournament Foundation, United States Golf Association and PGA of America. Sunday’s competition is broadcast on the Golf Channel just prior to the Masters tournament.
He began this journey by qualifying first at Pinewild in a local qualifier. He then moved on to Grandover in Greensboro, and finally clenched his berth at Augusta by winning at Pinehurst in the regionals this past October.
Photos contributed by Drive, Chip, & Putt Championship
He begins his day of tournament play by eating Coco Puffs. He always eats Coco Puffs on tournament day. You can’t argue with that considering his winning nature on the course. Maybe Tiger Woods should try Coco Puffs.
Holland credits his father, Ron, with his interest in golf. Ron is a teaching pro at Pinewild, and Holland wants to follow in his father’s footsteps as a teaching professional. He has two brothers, Attie, who has also pursued golf and plays on the Pinecrest golf team, and, Willie, who’s interested in football. But it’s his mom, Bess, who will join him on the other side of the ropes at Augusta. While the family gets to attend Augusta, only one is allowed to accompany him during competition.
Holland’s favorite course in the area is Pine Needles. When asked what his dream course would be, he said it was Augusta. We asked him what would be his dream four-some of any golfers present or past. He chose Arnold Palmer, Rickie Fowler, and Justin Palmer to play with him at Augusta, of course. They would be impressed with this 12 year old whose best score on 18 has been a very respectable 73 and whose handicap is a 14.
Holland resides in Pinehurst with his family and is a seventh grader at Saint John Paul II Catholic school in Southern Pines.
