The Greatest Game Ever Played

      Welcome to the travels, triumphs and tribulations of a young Vermont golfer, Troy Evans.  Recently having qualified for the 2015 United States Amateur Golf Tournament to be held at Olympia Fields Country Club From August 17th thru August 23rd in Olympia Fields, Illinois, Troy has received overwhelming support and encouragement.  In an effort to keep all who are interested apprised of the journey, we decided to start this blog.  We can never thank enough those who have supported Troy throughout his golf career and with this recent endeavor.  The kind words of support and monetary donations have meant so much and promise to make our trip and this experience a special one.

     From a very early age, well actually all of his life, Troy has been around the game of golf.  His family has a very storied past playing and working in a variety of capacities within the golf course industry.  His Dad, Bill is the Golf Course Superintendent at the Country Club of Barre, his brother Mitch is newly graduated with a degree in Turfgrass Management also working at CCB and aspires to one day be a course superintendent.  Other family members have worked on course crews, in the pro shop and even in the   club food service capacity.  His great grandmother, Thelma Evans was and still is a legend at Rocky Ridge Country Club having the ability to shoot her age up to her 89th year.  From the time he was able to walk he could often be found riding alongside in a golf cart as his Dad watered and tended the golf course on many a summer evening.

     It was at the age of 8 that he began to play.  He and brother Mitch spent countless hours, rain or shine from the first cold days of spring until the last cold days of autumn playing whenever they could, many days from sun up until sundown.  The Country Club of Barre has been their home away from home during golf season.  Mitch was first old enough to attempt playing on the Vermont Junior Tour but Troy tagged along walking all eighteen holes with Mom, watching every shot.  When he turned eleven, he reluctantly, after a bit of persuasion decided to give his first try at a junior tour event.  After a few nervous swings he settled in and was hooked.  It was the beginning of his passion and commitment to playing competitive golf.

     Since that first tournament, spring has been all about high school golf and summers have been filled with Vermont Junior Tour events,  New England events, a few American Junior Golf Association Tournaments, the Vermont State Amateurs, Vermont Opens and this year the U.S. Amateur Qualifier at Hickory Ridge in Amherst, Massachusetts.  From a field of approximately 70 players Troy emerged tied for the lead earning a spot to play in this years national amateur championship.  From approximately 97 national locations and qualifying sites at 20 other countries thousands of top golfers attempt to earn one of the coveted 312 available spots.  The 312 will play two rounds of stroke play, with the top 64 going on to match play.  The eventual winner will be crowned champion and be the recipient of the coveted Havemeyer Trophy.  The likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Jack Nicklaus are all past champions.

    We will begin our journey to Olympia Fields on Thursday, August 13th.  Troy will be joined by Dad, Mom and brother Mitchell who will serve as his caddy.  We will post regular updates on this blog detailing our trip and the tournament.  Follow along!


Be sure to view the US Amateur preview at:
http://www.2015usamateur.com.