Ben Stoller, an 11-year-old golfer from Owasso, will compete in national event this weekend at Augusta
By KEN MACLEOD
World Correspondent | Posted: Wednesday, April 1, 2015 12:18 pm
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - The Courses at Waters Creek
Ben Stoller won a regional qualifier at the Course at Watters Creek in Plano, Texas. Courtesy
Ben Stoller has modest plans lined out for his golf career.
"I want to be the top player in the world and break all of Jack Nicklaus' records," Stoller said matter of factly.
Heady stuff for the precocious 11-year-old from
Owasso, but those same thoughts were once uttered by a young Tiger
Woods. With 14 pro major titles, Woods is still chasing the Golden Bear,
who has 18.
Stoller will get a chance to see the hallowed grounds
of Augusta National, where Nicklaus won six of his major titles, when
he competes Sunday in the finals of the 2015 Drive, Chip and Putt
Championship, a national skills competition.
"He's just in love with golf, everything about it,"
his mother, Angie, said. "I think if he can keep his emotions under
control, he can do well at Augusta. I know there will be a wow factor,
but I wouldn't be surprised if he does pretty well."
To reach the finals, Stoller had to advance from
local and sub-regional qualifying at Mohawk Park and LaFortune Park golf
courses, respectively, then win a regional qualifier at the Course at
Watters Creek in Plano, Texas. Eighty finalists advanced to Augusta
National for the finals, including 10 in Stoller's age group
(10-11-year-olds).
Stoller will be joined on the trip by parents Angie
and Shaun, two of his three siblings and other family and friends. Most
will stay for Monday's practice round of the Masters. The only one
unable to make the trip is older brother Jacob, who will stay home to
compete with his Owasso High School teammates in a tournament.
Golf is a family affair for the Stollers, with the
exception of sister Margaret, 15, who prefers basketball. They are
members of the Patriot Golf Club, which they joined to take advantage of
its superior practice facilities.
Ben has been competing in and mostly winning
tournaments on the U.S. Kids Tour since he was 6. He has finished as the
state champion in his age group nearly every year and has shot scores
as low as 31 for nine holes and 67 for 18 holes. He typically shoots in
the high 70s or low 80s in 18-hole competitions. He has gone on to
compete three times in the U.S. Kids Tour World Championships at
Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Besides hopefully winning the Drive, Chip and Putt
competition, Ben is looking forward to the practice round and perhaps a
chance to get a glimpse of Rory McIlroy or his favorite, Jordan Spieth.
"Rory is in my top 10, but Jordan is my favorite,"
Ben said. "I've just always liked how he plays. He always keeps his
composure and never stops competing."
Ben was introduced to the game by his grandfather in
Kansas City, whom he forgives for being more of an Arnold Palmer fan.
Angie said he cut down a set of golf clubs and had Ben swinging by the
time he was 18 months old.
By KEN MACLEOD
World Correspondent | Posted: Wednesday, April 1, 2015 12:18 pm
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - The Courses at Waters Creek
Ben Stoller won a regional qualifier at the Course at Watters Creek in Plano, Texas. Courtesy
Ben Stoller has modest plans lined out for his golf career.
"I want to be the top player in the world and break all of Jack Nicklaus' records," Stoller said matter of factly.
Heady stuff for the precocious 11-year-old from
Owasso, but those same thoughts were once uttered by a young Tiger
Woods. With 14 pro major titles, Woods is still chasing the Golden Bear,
who has 18.
Stoller will get a chance to see the hallowed grounds
of Augusta National, where Nicklaus won six of his major titles, when
he competes Sunday in the finals of the 2015 Drive, Chip and Putt
Championship, a national skills competition.
"He's just in love with golf, everything about it,"
his mother, Angie, said. "I think if he can keep his emotions under
control, he can do well at Augusta. I know there will be a wow factor,
but I wouldn't be surprised if he does pretty well."
To reach the finals, Stoller had to advance from
local and sub-regional qualifying at Mohawk Park and LaFortune Park golf
courses, respectively, then win a regional qualifier at the Course at
Watters Creek in Plano, Texas. Eighty finalists advanced to Augusta
National for the finals, including 10 in Stoller's age group
(10-11-year-olds).
Stoller will be joined on the trip by parents Angie
and Shaun, two of his three siblings and other family and friends. Most
will stay for Monday's practice round of the Masters. The only one
unable to make the trip is older brother Jacob, who will stay home to
compete with his Owasso High School teammates in a tournament.
Golf is a family affair for the Stollers, with the
exception of sister Margaret, 15, who prefers basketball. They are
members of the Patriot Golf Club, which they joined to take advantage of
its superior practice facilities.
Ben has been competing in and mostly winning
tournaments on the U.S. Kids Tour since he was 6. He has finished as the
state champion in his age group nearly every year and has shot scores
as low as 31 for nine holes and 67 for 18 holes. He typically shoots in
the high 70s or low 80s in 18-hole competitions. He has gone on to
compete three times in the U.S. Kids Tour World Championships at
Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Besides hopefully winning the Drive, Chip and Putt
competition, Ben is looking forward to the practice round and perhaps a
chance to get a glimpse of Rory McIlroy or his favorite, Jordan Spieth.
"Rory is in my top 10, but Jordan is my favorite,"
Ben said. "I've just always liked how he plays. He always keeps his
composure and never stops competing."
Ben was introduced to the game by his grandfather in
Kansas City, whom he forgives for being more of an Arnold Palmer fan.
Angie said he cut down a set of golf clubs and had Ben swinging by the
time he was 18 months old.
