Tate Tatom: Watching the Golfer Grow

Earlier this year, we introduced our readers to Tate Tatom, now twice Class C Montana State High School Golf Champion. 



We said he was the best young talent we had ever seen. By my reckoning Tate has now entered his junior year at Long Peak High School, up the Gallitan Canyon in Big Sky. Winter sets in early at Big Sky. We promised to keep up to date with Tate.

Big Sky Mountain Village October 30, 2013

Tatom frequented the Rocky Mountain Junior Golf Tour over the summer and into the fall. Earlier this month, he won his final tour event, the RMJGT Major at Colorado Springs Country Club, shooting 148  for a 5 stroke victory at Colorado Springs Country Club. He surged ahead in the second round of the 36 hole event to beat a pair of Colorado locals.

Greenwood Village Colorado’s Cole Edwards and Trey Lambrecht from Sterling CO were tied for the lead after Saturday for the Boys 15-19 division. They both carded a 74. Tate Tatom proved that a short playing season in Gallatin Gateway MT doesn’t prevent players from perfecting their skills. He came from behind to secure the win with a 76/72 with three bogeys, two birdies and a par streak on holes 12-18. Cole managed a second place finish and Trey was third.

In June Tatom finished 2nd at the Pine Creek Classic and brought home 4th place at PGA Junior Series event No. 5 at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Overall, Tate Tatom finished top ten in four out of five RMJGT events. He finished 4th in the state amateur junior event and 3rd in the USGA junior qualifier.

Tate posted a swing video on YouTube which we expect will become frequent fodder for college golf program recruiters.

The young amateur is bringing it in against adults.  At my home course, Cottonwood Hills, he finished 6th in the Championship Flight of the Gallitan Valley Open, on a pro tournament setup that had greens as slick, undulating and difficult to read as any you will find this side of Augusta National.  

Post by Cottonwood Hills Golf Club.

Earlier in the summer, in the Montana Men's State Amateur, Tatom had a top 20 finish and brought home the Steve Schwarz Cup for low junior.  

We will continue to watch the golfer grow.

Tate Tatom with the Rory look at a Colorado tournament.