When you grow up in Augusta, Georgia, home of The Masters, you can’t escape golf’s presence. For Youth on Course member Hamilton Coleman, it’s been part of his life for as long as he can remember. “I’ve been hitting golf balls basically since before I could walk,” he says. His dad put the first club in his hands, and he never let it go.
This July, at just 17 years old, Hamilton’s years of dedication came to a career-defining moment: he became the 77th U.S. Junior Amateur Champion at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas, Texas. Coming in ranked No. 625 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Hamilton defied expectations, joining a list of past champions that includes Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, and Scottie Scheffler.
The path wasn’t easy. In the early rounds, he fought through a 25-hole marathon match, the longest in the championship’s last 23 years and overcame higher-ranked opponents with composure beyond his years. In the final against Anh Minh Nguyen, Hamilton stayed locked in until a birdie on the 35th hole sealed a 2 & 1 victory.
“In those last couple of holes, I was just trying to stay focused on my routine,” he recalls. “When that last putt dropped, I could finally let all of the stress of the week go. It was a massive release of emotion and it was very special.”
Hamilton’s win is remarkable not only for its scale, but for what it represents: the power of access.
Youth on Course gives members rounds of golf for $5 or less at more than 2,000 courses across the U.S. and Canada. For Hamilton, that meant the ability to play beyond his home course without worrying about the cost.
“It definitely helps a lot when I want to play different courses and I don’t have to worry about things getting too expensive,” he says. “It’s great to have access to so many places all across the country.”
By experiencing a variety of layouts, Hamilton learned to adapt to new challenges, a skill that served him well on his way to the Junior Am title. This isn’t an isolated story. In 2024, Youth on Course members played more than one million rounds in a single calendar year, part of a milestone of four million total rounds since inception.
The win has opened doors to golf’s highest levels. Hamilton has earned exemptions into the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, the 2025 U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club, and the 2026 U.S. Amateur at Merion Golf Club.
“There’s lots of new tournaments on my schedule now, including high-level amateur events,” Hamilton says. “It’s going to be really cool to see how my game stacks up to that level.”
Back in Augusta, the community has rallied around him. “With all the golf history here, there’s a lot of appreciation for the game,” he shares. “Hearing all the congratulations and people saying they’re proud of me has been incredible.”
Hamilton’s journey, from a little boy swinging a club in his backyard to a U.S. Junior Amateur champion with a ticket to the U.S. Open is the essence of Youth on Course’s mission. Affordable access doesn’t just grow the game, it changes lives, builds futures, and creates champions.
But there are thousands of kids out there who could be the next Hamilton if they had the same opportunity.
Your support makes it possible. Every $25 donated gives a Youth on Course member five rounds of golf, opening doors to experiences, friendships, and dreams they might never have otherwise.