Hollingshead ’24 Returns to Augusta National
For the second time in his young, yet remarkable, career, eighth-grade golfer Lance Hollingshead has qualified to compete in the national finals of the Drive, Chip and Putt competition, which will take place at the legendary Augusta National Golf Club next month.
Hollingshead had to win numerous competitions and beat countless youth golfers to reach this national stage. He first had to finish in the top-three at a local qualifier at Galloping Hill (NJ), then he finished in the top-two at a sub-regional qualifier at Shackamaxon (NJ), and then cleared the final hurdle by being crowned a regional champion at TPC River Highlands (CT). He will be joining nine other regional qualifiers from across the country at Augusta with the opportunity to take home a national title.
He previously made the event two years ago as a sixth-grader, and he is thrilled to return to one of the most recognizable golf courses in the world.
“It means a great deal to me personally,” said Hollingshead. “It is not easy to win a regional, you have to beat thousands of other players along the way, and you have to be on top of your game for all nine shots, every round. The stress level is very high because the reward is so valuable. One mistake you make that the field does not, and you are out.”
Advancing this far has taken a tremendous amount of work and dedication. Hollingshead trains at Trump Bedminster and Ibis in West Palm Beach and is in the gym five days a week, plays three 18-hole practice rounds a week, while also regularly seeing a swing coach and private tutor as well.
While Hollingshead says he is very excited to have another opportunity to putt on the 18th green of Augusta, he is also looking forward to next year, when he joins GSB’s varsity golf team.
“I am very excited to play next year because I will get a chance to be a teammate with my brother, Graeme, who will be a senior,” he said. “GSB has been so supportive of me, and I will enjoy being able to represent them in the high school golf arena.”
Making this event even more exciting is it will take place during the week of the Master’s, arguably the most prestigious golfing championship throughout the entire year. Hollingshead will be playing on the players’ practice range on Sunday, April 5, and it will be televised on the Golf Channel.
Congratulations, Lance, and best of luck!
Gill St. Bernard's School
Gill St. Bernard’s is a private, coeducational day school for students age three through grade 12, located in suburban New Jersey. Each of the three school divisions provides a rigorous, meaningful, and age-appropriate curriculum, and all students benefit from the environmental learning opportunities that exist on our 208-acre campus.