Well, I reckon some of ya might be wonderin’ ’bout this young man, Eric Cole. Now, let me tell ya, he ain’t no stranger to the game of golf. Born on June 12, 1988, down in Delray Beach, Florida, Eric’s been swingin’ clubs ever since he was a young’un. His mama and daddy, Bobby Cole and Laura Baugh, they was both big names in the golf world, so it’s no wonder that Eric took to the game early. Raised on golf courses, this boy knew how to handle a club before he could even drive a car! You know, sometimes them kids take to things like fish take to water, and golf was just one of them things for Eric.
Getting Started
Now, Eric didn’t just wake up one day and decide to play golf. He got started real young—around the age of 11, if I recall right. And by the time he hit his teenage years, he was already playin’ in some serious tournaments. It was like his whole life was set up for him to be out on them golf greens. His parents, both of ’em bein’ professional golfers, made sure Eric had all the right tools to make it big.
Early Struggles and Breakthroughs
But it wasn’t all smooth sailin’ for him. No sir, not at all. Even with all that talent, Eric had to work hard to make a name for himself. He played on the Minor League Golf Tour and racked up a whopping 56 wins there, includin’ the Tour Championship in 2009 and again in 2021. You might say that was his real test, ya know? A lotta folks don’t get to that point, but Eric stuck with it and kept on playin’.
Climbing the Ladder
In 2017, Eric took another big step. He earned himself a card for the Korn Ferry Tour, which is just a fancy name for a second-tier professional golf tour. But let me tell ya, that’s no easy feat. Only the best make it there, and Eric worked hard for it. Not long after, in 2020, he tied for third place at the Savannah Golf Championship, and folks started really takin’ notice of him. Then, in 2021, he played in the U.S. Open, one of the biggest golf tournaments in the world. That’s somethin’ not many folks can say they’ve done!
Big Year in 2022
But if you think that was all, well, you’d be wrong. 2022 was a big ol’ year for Eric. He finished tied for third in the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, and then in February of that same year, he played in the Honda Classic. He was right there at the top of the leaderboard, goin’ toe-to-toe with Chris Kirk. Now, Kirk ended up winin’ with a birdie in the playoff hole, but just bein’ in that spot, that’s a big deal, folks!
Becoming PGA Rookie of the Year
All this hard work paid off when Eric was named the 2022-23 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year. Can ya believe it? After all them years of grindin’, it all came together. It’s just like that ol’ saying: good things come to them that wait. And Eric sure waited and worked for it!
Life Outside Golf
Now, besides golf, Eric’s got a bit of a personal life too. He’s been with his partner, Stephanie Williams, for a good long while—seven and a half years, to be exact. In February of 2023, Eric popped the question at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Ain’t that romantic? They got married later that same year in December, and from what I hear, they’re real happy together.
Big Earnings
As of 2024, Eric’s sittin’ pretty with a career earnings of $7.9 million. Now, that’s a good chunk o’ change, and most of that comes from his play on the PGA and Korn Ferry Tours. Add in his Minor League Golf Tour earnings, and it’s easy to see how far he’s come. But Eric ain’t the kind to just rest on his laurels. He keeps pushin’ and keepin’ on, always lookin’ to improve and do better. That’s what makes him a real winner, if you ask me.
The Road Ahead
Now, even though Eric’s had quite the journey so far, I reckon he’s got a lot more to show us. He’s still young, and he’s just gettin’ started on the big tour. With his drive and determination, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a whole lot more of Eric Cole in the future. He’s got the talent, the grit, and the heart to make it to the very top. And let me tell ya, I wouldn’t bet against him!
Tags：[Eric Cole, PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, golf career, Rookie of the Year, golf champion, Minor League Golf Tour, Pebble Beach, U.S. Open, golf earnings]
