Timmy Hachey, 8, shows off one of the prizes he captured for winning his age division in the Drive, Chip and Putt competition in Spokane. He’s off to Oregon next month for regionals. (Photo supplied)
It’s pretty obvious that his father’s golf skills have clearly been passed down to Timmy Hachey, 8.
Timmy’s father is Wayne Hachey, the founder of the Osoyoos Golf Academy and Evolve Professional Golf Tour in Spain and the former club professional at the Osoyoos Golf Club.
This past weekend, Wayne, who came within one shot of qualifying for the British Open as an amateur more than 20 years ago, took Timmy to the Drive, Chip and Putt contest at Qualchen Valley Golf Course near Spokane.
More than 200 youngsters under the age of 16 took part, including close to 50 in the boys age 8-9 division, where Timmy was competing.
Each of the competitors were given the opportunity to hit three putts – one from six feet, the second from 15 feet and the third from 30 feet – as well as hit three chips from the side of the green and three drives that were measured for distance and accuracy.
At the end of the competition, Timmy Hachey came out on top in his age division and will move on to the regional competition on Aug. 9 in Hillsboro, Oregon, just outside of Portland.
“It all leads to the top kids qualifying to compete in the Drive, Chip and Putt finals at The Masters in Augusta next spring,” said Wayne.
Even though his son is only eight years of age, he’s “already addicted to golf” and puts in endless hours of practice, said his proud father.
“He works harder than any kid I’ve seen,” he said. “He just loves practicing and he never gets tired of it. He is a golf junkie just like I was at this age.”
All of that hard work paid off in Spokane last weekend.
“He sank his first put from six feet, came close on the second putt from 15 feet and was just an inch short on the third and longest putt from 30 feet,” he said.
He also made three excellent chips to score points and during the driving competition, he hit two of his three drives “straight down the middle.”
When all the scores were added up, Timmy came out on top and was given a trophy and championship banner.
“It’s pretty neat for a little guy like him to perform so well against so many other kids,” he said. “This Drive, Chip and Putt competition is really big in the U.S. and I’m really glad we took the time to drive him down there.”
Timmy is thrilled to have qualified for regionals and is already practicing extra long hours so he can do well in Oregon the second weekend in August, he said.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
