Hall ‘Ready To Go’ In First Tour Start In 11 Years

Kevin Hall

Despite Losing His Hearing Before Age 3, Kevin Hall Went On To Captain The Ohio State University Golf Team His Junior And Senior Seasons, Capturing The Conference’s Individual Championship In 2004. He Told His Story To The PGA TOUR Sunday Team In 2005. (Photo/PGA TOUR)

PACIFIC PALISADES, California — The last time Kevin Hall teed off in a PGA TOUR event was 11 years ago. So you can imagine his reaction when he received an email from the Tiger Woods Foundation notifying him of a spot in this week’s Genesis Open.

“I almost choked up,” Hall said Wednesday through his sign interpreter. “I needed to drink some water. I was so surprised but I was really shocked, you know? … It’s really an honor to have this great experience. It’s been a humbling experience and I’m ready to go.”

Hall was awarded the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption earlier this month and will be among the field of 144 players in Thursday’s first round at Riviera. He tees off Thursday at 8:35 a.m. PT off the first tee with playing partners J.T. Poston and Kevin Dougherty.

The 34-year-old Hall has been shattering stereotypes his entire life. Before his third birthday, Hall lost his hearing due to H-Flu Meningitis. While enrolled at the St. Rita School for the Deaf in Cincinnati, Ohio, Hall picked up the game of golf at the age of nine and quickly progressed in the game. By high school, Hall was competing in athletics through his local public school, Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, ascending to the No. 1 ranking for junior golfers in the city by his senior year.

In May 1999, a 16-year-old Hall attended a golf clinic at Glenview Golf Course in Cincinnati hosted by Tiger Woods and the Tiger Woods Foundation. On Wednesday, Hall discussed how Woods – who had to withdraw this week due to back problems -- was his golfing inspiration.

“The first time I saw Tiger, I was 13 or 14 years old and he kept winning all the U.S. Amateurs and all of his tournaments,” Hall said. “I just remember sitting with my dad in the living room, watching him play and winning. I was like, I want to be like him. He works really hard and his will to win is strong and he just has such a passion.”