Once you become an average hobbyist, the competition gets smaller and smaller.
Drew Stultz took GOLF co-host Drew Stoltz with partner Drew Kittleson to the finals of the USGA Four-Ball Championship two weeks ago. The duo played a host of tight matches, including the last four matches that saw no fewer than 17 holes each, on their way to reaching the finals for the second year in a row.
This included a tough test in the form of Blades Brown and Jackson Herrington in a quarter-final match that had to be completed the next morning due to darkness.
To answer your first question, yes “Blades” is his real name and he’s only 15 years old. So was Herrington, for that matter.
I received a text message from [PGA Tour player] Scott Stallings before because they’re Tennessee kids,” Stoltz told co-host Colt Nost on this week’s episode of Subpar. “It’s like, those are my boys. This baby Blades is my man. they are good.’ All that kind of stuff.”
Stolz noted that the team that fielded high schoolers in the Round of 16 earlier that morning featured NHL referee Garrett Rank who has an extensive resume including winning the prestigious West Amateur and qualifying for the 2018 US Open.
The Teens had put Team Drew on the ropes early in the match, rallying from three to nine holes. However, Team Drew charged the back with a five birdie and hung at par on the 18th hole for a 1 Up victory after play was called on Tuesday night.
There wasn’t much chatter with that group. It felt like they were locked in their own area. Stoltz said. “The good news is that we won. The bad news is that next year they will be 16. They will be even better.”
“I hope they turn pro or get into college quickly,” Kittelson added.
“Yeah, just turning pro, I think that’s the right move,” Stoltz said somewhat wryly.
For more information from Stoltz and Kittleson on their run at the 2023 US Amateur Four-Ball, check out the full interview below.