Hunter Wolcott never had to look too far to find role models in his life. He grew up under the same roof with a legendary Tennessee golfer in his father, Bob, and his older brother Ben helped show the way to future success.
While Dickson was always home to the Wolcott clan, their talents stretched throughout the golfing world. Bob followed up an All-American stint at Georgia with a lengthy professional career that saw him record 72 cuts made on the PGA Tour including a pair of third-place finishes between 1990-97, and he will be inducted into the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame class next year.
Ben went on to earn All-SEC honors at Ole Miss and now works alongside his father in managing the family's GreyStone Golf Club back in Dickson.
Meanwhile, Hunter was an All-SEC golfer at Tennessee before turning professional in 2022, capturing the 2023 Tennessee State Open title exactly 40 years after his father won the same tournament, narrowly defeating his big brother to claim the crown.
It came as no surprise earlier this year when Hunter claimed his first victory on the PGA Tour Americas by winning the Diners Club Peru Open, finishing the season ranked 11 on the points list. But he hoped it was merely a precursor for bigger things ahead as he followed in his father's footsteps.
That's what makes this week so special for Hunter. After winning a final spot in a playoff, he made his debut on the PGA Tour on Thursday at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. Based on his performance during the opening round, he might be on a path that will bring further awareness of the Wolcott name.
With five groups unable to complete their round due to darkness, Hunter battled persistent winds and rain to scratch out a 1-under-par 70, good for a 28 place tie to put himself in good position to make it to the weekend.
Hunter showed great poise and resilience in the challenging conditions, amassing a round-best 15 pars along with two birdies and a bogey to navigate his way around Port Royal Golf Course. His second birdie came on his closing hole at No. 18, enabling him to finish the day in red figures.
"I had to battle lots of elements with the wind and rain, but I felt great about how I handled my game physically and emotionally," the 27-year-old Wolcott said. "I'm excited to get back out there (Friday) and have some fun."
Also making his initial appearance on the PGA Tour was Lee University senior Drew Zielinski, who earned an exemption by winning medalist honors at the Fripp Island to Bermuda collegiate tournament last month to become the first active Division II golfer to complete in a PGA Tour event.
Zielinski carded a 3-over 74 (T84) on his opening loop in a round that was completely opposite of Wolcott's performance. The Ocean Springs, Miss. native compiled only five pars on his busy scorecard that was accompanied by five birdies, six bogeys and one double. He made the turn in even-par 36 before coming home in 3-over 38.
"I felt like it could have been much better," Zielinski said. "The shots were there, but they just didn't quite pan out the way I was thinking. My nerves were surprisingly calm, and I tried to tell myself that this is only the first day and there is a lot of golf left. I learned that I can hit the shots, and I felt like I belonged out there."
Nashville's Blades Brown had an impressive showing in his seventh appearance on the PGA Tour during his rookie season. The 18-year-old battled back from a double bogey on his second hole to record three birdies - including one at No. 18 to close his round - to finish tied for 43 at even par 71.
Others with Tennessee ties competing this weekend are former Vanderbilt golfer Matthew Riedel, who shot 1-over-par 72, and Nashville's Brandt Snedeker at 4-over-par 75.
Alabama high school senior Tyler Watts, who signed his national letter of intent to attend Tennessee after graduation, put together an even-par 71 with two birdies and a pair of bogeys in his second PGA Tour event after finishing tied for 53 in the Procore Championship in September.
Baker Leads Tennessee Contingent at Assistant PGA Professional
Chris Baker of Towhee Club in Spring Hill opened with a round of 2-over 74 to lead the trio of Tennessee golfers competing in the 49 Assistant PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Baker managed to bag six birdies on his round that saw him play his final 12 holes in 1-under to join a group tied for 30.
Matthew Nuttall of The Honors Course is tied for 53 at 4-over 76, a score that could have been even better were it not for a pair of double bogeys in his last four holes.
Dylan Moncus of Holston Hills Country Club posted a 7-over 79 good for a tie for 80, needing to make a move on Friday to earn a spot in the top 70 and ties that will advance to the weekend.