Kevin Hall Playing in the Genesis Open

Imagine having the opportunity to play in a PGA Tournament. Imagine the pressure and the big crowds of the big stage. Like many I'm sure we all have. Now imagine doing it completely deaf. That's what Kevin Hall is doing. Deaf since the age of 2, Kevin went on to be the first black scholarship golfer at Ohio State and is a Big Ten Champion, he is now a current mini tour player and still working on his dream. He is playing in the Genesis Open on a sponsors exemption. What an incredible story. So proud to say this guy is from my hometown. Nothing but respect for him.

http://golfweek.com/2017/02/08/pga-tour-genesis-open-kevin-hall/

wow..thanks for posting that ... i love an underdog... ill be following him now too!

Good story and I'll be pulling for him this week.

Congrats to Kevin and best of luck.

"Hall has received the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption, which has afforded a golfer representing a minority background the opportunity to compete in the PGA Tour event for nearly a decade."

I became aware of this sponsor exemption when it was given to Harold in '14. For that, I give huge props to this event.

Why don't other tournaments follow suit?

Lastly, RIP Mr. Sifford

He's a good guy and I'm happy that he got this chance, deserves it. He actually told me his good news last Tuesday when I texted him about something else. I hadn't heard about his exemption at that time, he was on Cloud 9, or maybe way above it!

I'm rooting for him to do well.

Way to go Kevin Hall!

Hopefully he will play as well as he clearly can. Regardless of that though, his story is inspiring for everyone.

I am a casual acquaintance of Kevin and this is well deserved. He is a great guy from a great family. I will be rooting for him.

This is awesome!

Genuinely curious though, if all of our feel in golf is based on sound - then what does he feel when striking a ball? Or how can he distinguish if he likes one club better than another? Is it just a numbers game on a Trackman for him? Does he feel something completely different because he is deaf? Maybe he actually has the most pure feeling out of anyone because at that point it's actually the feeling in his hands and not the sound... This is going to have my brain turning all day now.

This is awesome!

 

Genuinely curious though, if all of our feel in golf is based on sound - then what does he feel when striking a ball? Or how can he distinguish if he likes one club better than another? Is it just a numbers game on a Trackman for him? Does he feel something completely different because he is deaf? Maybe he actually has the most pure feeling out of anyone because at that point it's actually the feeling in his hands and not the sound... This is going to have my brain turning all day now.

I, for one, would love to try and play with no sound for a round. It would definitely give me better focus over the ball. Of course, it makes other things more difficult outside of hitting the ball, like not interrupting your playing partners.

Awesome story of perseverance. Hope he does well!

Hope he performs up to his ability and doesnt get affected by the big stage. Saw him drop a 61 in the opening round of a tourney on some of the worst greens I've ever seen. Joseph Bramlett and Michael Block both incredible players shot 66 and 70 the same day for context.

Good luck to him! Hope he can enjoy the moment and play well.

Would be such a great story if he plays well

Do the marshalls need to hold the 'quiet' signs up when he swings? ?

Seems like a strong, persevering man just like Sifford. A wonderful honour to be given an exemption in the name of Charlie Sifford.

While I don't know him very well I've had the pleasure of meeting him a couple times and played in a couple events that he was playing in as well. He has some serious game and is an incredibly nice guy. I don't think I've ever seen him without a smile on his face. He's pretty funny too. He posted on Facebook saying he hopes people aren't upset that he ignored the phone calls to congratulate him but they should figure it out after a bit of thinking.

http://www.pgatour.com/news/2017/02/08/genesis-open-charlie-sifford-memorial-exemption.html

Here is an update through the PGA website. I am still blown away by him. I hope he really plays well.

While I don't know him very well I've had the pleasure of meeting him a couple times and played in a couple events that he was playing in as well. He has some serious game and is an incredibly nice guy. I don't think I've ever seen him without a smile on his face. He's pretty funny too. He posted on Facebook saying he hopes people aren't upset that he ignored the phone calls to congratulate him but they should figure it out after a bit of thinking.

lol. For whatever reason I just love a person who has an obvious disability and yet a great sense of humor about it ! You have to find a way to laugh in this world. And sounds like he has that figured out !

While I don't know him very well I've had the pleasure of meeting him a couple times and played in a couple events that he was playing in as well. He has some serious game and is an incredibly nice guy. I don't think I've ever seen him without a smile on his face. He's pretty funny too. He posted on Facebook saying he hopes people aren't upset that he ignored the phone calls to congratulate him but they should figure it out after a bit of thinking.

 

lol. For whatever reason I just love a person who has an obvious disability and yet a great sense of humor about it ! You have to find a way to laugh in this world. And sounds like he has that figured out !

Lol right. His story about how at a pro am the volunteer held up the "quiet please" sign and he just goes. "It doesn't matter man...I'm deaf." Now that's funny. He seems to have a good dry roll off the shoulder sense of humor. I don't think I've wanted a guy to succeed so badly.

Looks like he is +7... That's too bad. Hopefully he can turn it around tomorrow.

I was able to watch him up close when he was in high school, the team I coached played against his team many times. Great golfer.

Coverage yesterday was predictable, which made it disappointing. They pick up the kid when he's +7, show very few shots. Should have been more of a feature for the coverage and they could have shown him long before the end of his round. Also, why come back with video replay after useless break for Golf Central, when play was still continuing live, which we did not end up seeing? Oh well.

Good Luck to Mr. Hall!!

What a good guy. Let's get him some more exemptions