The smile, which features a full set of braces, has been a continuing since 13-year-old Slater Meade certified for the finals of the Drive, Chip and Putt at Augusta Nationwide.
It wasn’t exhausting to determine what Meade’s first ideas have been after getting by his regional on his third try to get to Augusta Nationwide. “I simply thought ‘that is actually occurring,’” mentioned Meade, who’s an eighth grader at West Wilkes Center Faculty.
To say the Meade household, who stay in Wilkesboro, is worked up can be an understatement.
“We’ve by no means been there so this can all be new to us,” mentioned Meade’s father, Bradley.
Slater’s mother, Carisa, couldn’t assist however suppose again 11 years in the past when her son was given a present of plastic golf equipment from Walmart. He was 2-years-old and he began swinging these golf equipment with regularity.
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“He wasn’t shy about swinging these membership both inside the home or exterior,” Carisa mentioned.
The one difficulty that Slater’s mother and pop didn’t know on the time was Slater began swinging the right-handed plastic membership left-handed.
“It’s humorous however he turned the motive force round and was hitting the plastic ball onto our two story home and that’s what I keep in mind essentially the most,” Bradley mentioned.
Slater does all the pieces else proper handed which incorporates taking part in baseball. He swings the bat left-handed and golfs left-handed.
Although Slater performed all sports activities rising up with baseball and soccer amongst his main sports activities he says his important focus as of late is golf. He additionally likes to hunt, one thing his father additionally likes to do.
“It’s just about golf for me as of late,” Slater mentioned. “I’ve been training and taking part in lots as a result of I notice how cool that is going to be subsequent month.”
This would be the seventh yr of the favored Drive, Chip and Putt competitors that was began by Augusta Nationwide together with the PGA of America and america Golf Affiliation. Every of the age teams between 7 and 15 compete domestically earlier than transferring on to a sub-regional after which regional touranaments, after which hopefully advancing to Augusta Nationwide the place the finals might be broadcast stay on the Golf Channel on April 2, the Sunday earlier than the Masters.
Whereas Slater might be taking part in in his first finals of the Drive, Chip and Putt he’s already been on nationwide tv earlier than. Final yr he was a part of the successful North Carolina group that beat California in PGA Junior League match-play championships at Grayhawk Golf Course in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was there that his teammates nicknamed him “Slaughterhouse” as a result of he’s so good in match play.
“I type of like that nickname,” Slater mentioned.
His mother joked that she didn’t know if it was one phrase or two.
“I believe its one phrase however who is aware of,” Carisa mentioned.
As a result of he’s performed in such a giant occasion already Slater doesn’t suppose the expertise might be too large for him. The PGA Junior League championship was aired stay on ESPNU.
“I’m simply trying ahead to all the pieces about it,” Slater mentioned.
Holden Adams, the director of golf at Oakwoods Nation Membership in Wilkesboro, is the place the Meade household belongs. Whereas dad performs golf sometimes, it’s a spot the place Slater has been sporting out of late. His 11-year-old sister, Alarie, is extra thinking about softball than golf.
“Slater is a unbelievable participant and even higher younger man,” Adams mentioned. “He at all times has a smile on his face and by no means appears to get down on himself. His optimistic perspective and his love for competitors and the sport of golf has made him an completed participant at such a younger age.”
Adams mentioned the complete membership is worked up about Slater’s likelihood to play within the finals.
“Oakwoods is so happy with his accomplishments and qualifying for the Drive, Chip, and Putt at Augusta,” Adams mentioned. “It’s at all times superior to see the junior golfers at Augusta yearly however this yr might be a particular one for Oakwoods. I do know our membership might be watching and cheering for Slater.”
Main as much as the household journey to Augusta, Ga. a number of the small print have been labored out with one exception. The household hasn’t determined how a lot it has budgeted for the reward retailers which might be a giant draw for golfers and followers as soon as they’re contained in the gates.
“We truly haven’t mentioned a determine,” Bradley mentioned with amusing.
Slater mentioned he hadn’t thought of what he would possibly wish to purchase however was assured there might be a lot to select from.
“I’ll need to make a while for procuring,” Slater mentioned. “I suppose that might be a part of the entire expertise of being there.”
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