Sarnia, Ontario

 


Inspiring Hill Rocks Hootie
by Terry Norris


Matt Hill
submitted photo

Freshman Matt Hill of Brights Grove and Sarnia Golf and Curling Club  who attends North Carolina State on golf scholarship doesn't exactly fit the story of the "Little Engine that Could".   At a lanky six foot four he isn't little.  His laid back personality wouldn't seem to give rise to inspiring either.  However, as some of the big American universities are finding out the quiet Canadian has quickly established himself as a top intercollegiate golfer and an inspiring person to his teammates.

Such was the stage when Hill rolled into the Bulls Bay Golf Club for the Hootie in Anandaw South Carolina.  The Hootie is one of the most popular intercollegiate tournaments in the southern U.S.  It was the brainchild of the rock band Hootie and the Blowfish who sponsor the tournament and gave a live concert on opening day.   Over 6,000 people are attracted to the tournament including Arnold Palmer, Steve Spurier and Dan Marino who play in a pro am the first day.  Hill, himself unranked and his unranked North Carolina State Wolfpack golf team rolled into town to face 7 of the top 20 ranked intercollegiate golf teams in the NCAA.  Intimidating would be the understatement facing the Canadian freshman.

    
     An opening round 71 was enough to keep Hill near the leader board.  His teammates seemed to pick up from this and gain the confidence to battle the big boys.  Hill followed up with a sizzling four under 67 on the second round further inspiring his teammates.  On the final round Hill was challenged when Jurrain vander Vaart posted a impressive 6 under 65 to stake a lead.  Hill responded to the pressure by posting six birdies down the stretch to post a five under 67 and win by two strokes in front of the huge gallery.
 

    With the individual win by Matt Hill his team played inspired golf and North Carolina State Wolfpack went on to win the team event by a total of 12 strokes.


Matt attended Sarnia Northern Collegiate High School where he was coached by John Thrasher.  Matt was ranked No. 1 junior player in Ontario in 2006 and No. 3 in Canada overall.  He also won the 2005 High School Provincial Championship.  He also played for Canada at the World Junior Championships in 2006 and 2007 and won the 2007 Ontario Junior Championship.  He finished second at 2005 and 2007 Canadian Juniors, Semifinalist at the 2005 Canadian Amateur, won the 2006 Ontario Future Links Championship, tied for fifth at 2007 Ontario Amateur,  tied for 14th at 2006 Callaway Junior Worlds.  Career low tournament record was (-8) 64 

Matt also played hockey and tennis and hockey.  In 2006 he was a member of the Northern Vikings LSSAA Senior Boys Hockey Championship Team.  In other achievements Matt was on the city of Sarnia’s Mayors Honor List and earned the Silver Award in 9th and 10th grade.

Matt was Born September 12, 1988 and  is the Son of Bob and Barb Hill.  Matt's brother Graham plays golf for Eastern Michigan University and was the 2007 MAC Player of the Year.


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