DI 8-year-old scores major golf victory

Daniel Island resident Hudson Hatch has plenty of potential on the golf course.

He might not be a grizzled veteran just yet, but he’s played in 35-40 tournaments and recently won a major tournament, claiming the top place in the Carolinas State Invitational.

His father Josh put his son’s career in perspective.

“If he can play in college, that would be incredible,” he said. “If he can go further, that would be awesome. But you never know. He could be playing Legos next week, being 8-years-old.”

Welcome to Hatch’s life. He’s a prolific golfer for being only 8-years-old. He’s been golfing since he was 3 or 4 and played in his first tournament when he was 5.

He’s talented and grounded. Academics come first in his home

“He’s got to make the grades in school,” said Josh. “If he doesn’t have the grades or there are character issues, he’s not playing. He’s a good nice kid.”

Hatch traveled to Raleigh, N.C. to compete in the fifth annual U.S. Kids Golf Carolinas State Invitational, which was contested at Brier Creek Country Club.

The Carolinas State Invitational offers players from North Carolina, South Carolina and surrounding states the opportunity to compete in a multi-day championship event.

Hatch struggled to begin the tournament and he recorded four consecutive bogeys. He finished the first day, five over par 41 for nine holes.

“That was the first time in about 12 or 13 months that he had a round in the 40s,” said Josh. “That was a bizarre round. He had a rough day putting. But he told me if he could play par golf on the second day, he could win.”

That’s exactly what happened. He recorded 36 and finished with a two day total of 77. He won the tournament in a four-hole playoff.

Hatch competed in the World Championships in North Carolina, an event that attracted more than 1500 children in all age groups. He finished 14th out of 150 in his age group and was only one of nine golfers within his age group to score under 40 in all three rounds.