Tim Hogarth earns 2014 SCGA Player of The Year award

October 29, 2014

For the third time in his decorated career, veteran Tim Hogarth topped the SCGA Points List to earn Player of the Year honors. Hogarth narrowly edged out collegiate star Gunn Yang, who won this year's U.S. Amateur. Hogarth's year included second-place finishes at both the SCGA Amateur Championship and SCGA Mid-Amateur Championship, a semifinal appearance at the SCGA Match Play Championship and a T3 at the SCGA Public Links Championship. In addition, Hogarth won the 2013 SCGA Tournament of Club Champions, which due to its date on the calendar did factor into the 2014 Points List. We checked in with Hogarth to ask him about the award, which will be officially given to him at the SCGA Annual Meeting on Nov. 13.

Final Standings

What does it mean to win the SCGA’s Player of the Year award?

I’m proud of the level of consistency I was able to show this year. My track record has always been full of very high highs and very low lows, but this year I had a chance to win almost every event I played in. It was difficult this year coming close but not being able to win, but this award makes the year seem like a success.

How would you recap your 2014 season?

I really enjoyed the tournaments this year. I was involved in some great battles at the SCGA Amateur, SCGA Mid-Amateur and SCGA Match Play. I think I learned more about myself in those events than all of the golf I’ve played in my career.

You’ve now earned the SCGA Player of the Year honor three times (2009, 2012, 2014). What do you attribute to your consistent play?

It’s easy. I’ve been able to play well over a long period of time because I have a great golf instructor, Randy Peterson, who takes time out of his schedule at Callaway to help me out whenever things start to go wrong.

The past few SCGA majors (SCGA Amateurs, really) have been dominated by young collegiate players. However you still find yourself in the running each time. What sets you apart from other Mid-Ams?

I can’t really speak for the other Mid Ams, however I know that the SCGA Amateur is a more physical test than other events. You have to be able to walk 36 holes the first day and then come back on the second day, recovered, and ready to play hard. That’s not easy to do. I give all of this credit to my dedication to Muay Thai (thai kickboxing) and to my instructor Julio Trana. He has helped me push back the clock and I feel better now than I did 20 years ago. I know for a fact that helps me on the days that I play 36 holes.

What has competing in SCGA events meant to your golf career?

I made a decision a long time ago not to travel around the country playing golf tournaments. I like coaching my kids' teams and being at home, so if it wasn't for the SCGA I wouldn't have had a golf career. The SCGA made it possible for me to compete in great tournaments and still live up to my family responsibilities. I am very grateful for the SCGA. Without it my life would be very different.

What’s next for your golf career? What are your goals now?

Honestly, I find this time in my life to be the most confusing and difficult to figure out. On one hand, I am perfectly happy to just continue living the life I’ve been living, playing SCGA tournaments and trying to do my best in USGA events, but on the hand, I will be 49 next year and the Champions Tour feels like the next challenge that I should at least consider. The next few years should be interesting.



If your username is set as your email address, it will appear as your name when the comment is posted.