KNOW YOUR PRO
Course: Pequot Golf Club, Stonington Years as pro: Hill started working at Pequot in early April but he's been in the golf business for years now. He previously worked at Alpine Country Club in Cranston, R.I. He's also been at Chippanee Country Club in Bristol and Simsbury Farms as well as several other clubs. “I've been all over the place. A lot of different places." Favorite hole: No. 5, a par 4, 304 yards from the white tee. “It's got a lot of character. It's wooded. From the tee, it's almost a shoot. If you hit it really well, you can knock it on the green. It is a dogleg right.”
Best part about your job: “Getting out and talking with people. I just love talking with everybody. Taking a ride out on the course when the guys are out there and seeing how they're doing. Being on the first tee and talking it up with everybody. Unfortunately, there's not much of that anymore.”
Favorite course: Rhode Island Country Club, Barrington. “It's fantastic. It's right on the water. I just played it
last year. It's a Donald Ross course.
I love Donald Ross courses. Just the
character of the whole clubhouse and
everything. It's just old school.”
Holes-in-one: Two. What ties the two together is that family members witnessed both aces. His parents and his young son were on hand for his first one at a Windermere, a course in West Orlando, Fla., that no longer exists. His second ace, which happened at Blue Fox Run Golf Course in Avon, came while playing with his nephew. “He actually was more excited than I was.” Best golf advice: “Enjoy yourself and don't take it seriously. It's just too frustrating of a game. Even if you're good, just try to have fun.”
Dream foursome: Lanny Wadkins, Arnold Palmer and Bobby Jones.
Fun facts: Hill grew up in Simsbury and played for the Simsbury High School golf team. He tried to make the golf team at Clemson but fell short. He eventually transferred to Central Connecticut State University and played there.
Golf always has been a big part of his life.
“I grew up playing golf,” Hill said. “The day that Simsbury Farms was open, I played there. I used to play with my mother. She would take me out a lot. Every half day in second grade, she would take me to Copper Hill in East Granby. My dad was a good player; he played for Rutgers.
“I just loved the game. I've always wanted to get into it.”
He got his start in the business at Hartford Golf Club before heading to Florida to try to make a go of it as a player, competing in some mini-tour events. He once played with Damon Green, who was pro golfer Zach Johnson's caddie.
His first head professional job was at Copper Hill.
Now his home is Pequot, a place he knew well before taking the job. His brother once lived down the street from the course.
“I used to hang out here. When I was 10 years old, I used to come here all the time, so I love this area," he said. "That's ironic, ending up here. My second home in Connecticut is Stonington, which is kind of neat.”
— Gavin Keefe