When on the course, it’s Hammer’s time
Maybe you caught a glimpse of Cole Hammer as a 15-year-old amateur at the U.S. Open in 2015. Qualifying for a major as a teenager is just scratching the surface for him.
Hammer capped his Kinkaid career in thrilling fashion this spring to become All-Greater Houston Boys Golfer of the Year. The senior shot a firstround 68 of the Southwest Preparatory Conference championships, only to follow with a 67 on day two.
He won the individual title at the SPC Championships and his team won its third consecutive SPC crown and seventh in the nine years.
Hammer, a three-time all-SPC selection, is busy on the amateur circuit this summer. He won the U.S. Amateur Four Ball Tournament in Jupiter Hills, Fla., in May. His next stop is University of Texas. It’s not a stretch to say Hammer will be a fixture on TV one day.
“The sky is the limit for him,” Kinkaid coach Bobby Eggleston said. “He has all the shots but above that, he’s got the head for it, the mentality. I really look for good things to come from him. He is not afraid of hard work. He enjoys what he does. This is not a grind for him. He just enjoys playing golf and I know he wants to be the best he can. So I really think he’s going to have a chance to do very well playing at the University of Texas and hopefully after that.”
Q: How would you encompass the last four years of your life and how it made Kinkaid and yourself a household name?
A: “I actually committed to Texas when I was in the eighth grade. I knew I was going to Texas before I knew I was going to Kinkaid actually. Went to Kinkaid freshman year, had a great time. Just missed out on winning SPC. Then that summer, I qualified for the U.S. Open. I think that was big. Put Kinkaid golf on the map for sure. Kind of put me on the map as well. It was a fun time. Sophomore year, our team won SPC by a lot as I remember it. We just had a great time. We had a different aura about the team and the camaraderie was great.
“I wasn’t there junior year. … Went back to Kinkaid for senior year and won SPC again. I’ve also won a couple time outside of Kinkaid this year so it’s been really good. It’s been a great four years and I’m excited for the next four.”
Q: How did the U.S. Open experience help you, especially with SPC play?
A: “Not just with SPC but everything. Because nothing compares to the U.S. Open other than other majors. It was great. I learned a lot. Got to talk to a bunch of the players. They gave me good insight to how they live their lives and stuff like that. … I definitely was a more confident golfer. Especially now, having that in my past has just been really helpful.”
Q: There had to be a point where you had to get used to the media attention. What was that transition like?
A: “It did get crazy when I qualified. I was just getting bombarded by different media. It was a cool experience, though. That’s not a bad problem to have. But it did take me a little while to deal with it. Especially playing at the tournament, I had to get used to giving interviews right before and after I play. That does not happen at SPC. But that took a little while. Now I’ve had enough experience with it that I’m pretty versed in it now. It’s not anything new to me. It was a good experience that I’m sure will serve me well in the long run.”
Q: When did you know golf could be something you do for a living?
A: “I was probably in sixth or seventh grade honestly. Maybe in fifth. … I always loved golf and when I’ve seen myself playing in tournaments, I’ve won a lot. So I knew I was pretty good at it. I won a couple of tournaments sixth and seventh grade year, one big one seventh grade year. I was just like ‘OK, I feel like I can do it.’ And then once I qualified for the U.S. Open, obviously that really solidified it.” Q: What are your goals at Texas? A: “The big one is obviously to win a national championship. One would be great. Four would be even better. I plan on staying for all four years. Get my degree.”
Q: Is it fair to say we’ll see you on the PGA Tour one day?
A: That’s the goal. Obviously after college I’ll turn pro. So excited. I mean it really can’t come fast enough. I’m excited for college, but it’s hard not to look ahead to that next step.”