Jr. Players champ staying with the Funks this week

text size

Shaw/Getty Images

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- It's been less than six weeks since 17-year-old Gavin Hall won the AJGA Junior Players at TPC Sawgrass, and he couldn't wait to come back.

With the victory, the highly-decorated junior golfer from Pittsford, N.Y. earned a sponsor's exemption into this week's Winn Dixie Jacksonville Open and Fred Funk and his family have opened up their doors to the teenager -- making it really feel like home.

"I'm sitting outside Mr. Funk's house right now and it's special," said Hall just hours after arriving into Ponte Vedra Beach Tuesday and seeing the golf course again. "The whole family has made me feel very comfortable. We haven't talked any golf yet, but I'm sure that will happen this week over a few dinners."

Hall relishes the opportunity to pick the brain of one of the game's most consistent players all-time. "I want to hear his stories from his career," said Hall. "He won THE PLAYERS here and is so down to earth. I'm curious to see if he has any playing tips and advice on how he is able to drive it so straight."

Hall said he'll have lots to talk about with not only Funk, but Funk's son Taylor -- a high school sophomore that is already shooting below par.

"It's great having the young guys around," said Funk, who is also hosting Nationwide Tour player Troy Kelly -- currently ranked No. 8 on the money list. "It's fun to be able to make it a fun week for them and help them enjoy Ponte Vedra. The golf course is in great shape and they'll have a chance to play a good quality golf course. As for Troy, I met him last winter and he'll be on TOUR next year. I know Gavin can really play. It'll be fun."

Hall's 3-under total of of 211 in September was enough to win the Junior Players by one shot and included a Saturday score of 64 on Dye's Valley. Hall went even lower as a 15-year-old when he carded a course record 62 in the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Egypt Valley (Michigan) Country Club -- breaking the previous mark of 63 set by Larry Nelson in a Champions Tour event.

The score got a lot of attention for Hall as colleges began positioning themselves to get a closer look at the young phenom. Now a junior in high school, this is the first year that Hall is not playing another sport like soccer or basketball. A lefty shooting guard that shoots the basketball righthanded, Hall admits he'll miss being on the basketball court, but was ready to turn the page.

Joined this week by his longtime friend and caddie J.P. Kircher, Hall will also have his parents in the crowd. "My parents, amazingly enough, don't play golf. They just watch."

At first glance, when Hall was asked if he noticed any big difference in Dye's Valley from September's Junior Players, he answered quickly. "The rough is a lot rougher."

If fans are looking to follow Hall this week, the 5-10, 150-pound lefthander probably won't be too hard to find. Just look for the youngest looking guy on the course that probably has the biggest smile on his face!