Another good year for Trey DePriest

Trey DePriest, 10, has had another good year of golf and for the fifth consecutive year will be returning to Pinehurst, N.C., for the U.S. Kids World Championships held in August.

Trey DePriest is getting ready for the US Kids World Championship. (Town Crier photo/Revis Blaylock)

Trey, son of Thomas and Candie DePriest of Monette, fell in love with the game of golf when he was three years old and said he enjoys it more each year.

Trey played on the United States Junior Golf Tour this year playing up in age. He was in the fourth grade at Buffalo Island Central but played in the fifth and sixth grade age division. He was able to get his first win in this age division by averaging 75.28 over the season.

Trey went to Birmingham, Ala., to play in the US Kids world qualifier where he shot 1 over par to win by four strokes. This qualified him to return to Pinehurst this year. He is looking forward to the event.

Trey is golfing well this year and said he is more dedicated to the game than ever before.

He went to Greenville, Miss., and played in the Future Tour Championships in May where he finished second.

He was invited for the second straight year to play in the World Youth Team Challenge in Chicago, Ill. This is a four day event played in Ryder Cup format. It is made up of 10 teams from five different countries. This is one of Trey's favorite tournaments because each golfer has a teammate and he gets to know other kids from all over.

A few weeks after his Chicago trip, Trey traveled to Dothan, Ala., to play in the Press Thornton Future Masters. This is a big event with kids coming from all over the country. There were 42 golfers in Trey's age group. Trey shot one over the first day and one under the second to finish even par and good for second place.

"The Press Thornton Future Masters has been around for a long time and several tournament winners went on to the PGA," Trey said. "Dothan is one of my favorite courses. Those greens are as fast as the official Masters."

Trey also played in the Joe Boone Memorial Tournament and won in a play off.

Trey said he is always competing against himself to see how high he can go.

"I am more serious now than ever before," Trey said. "I work on my golf and keeping a good attitude."

Two weeks ago the Junior Golf Scoreboard's national ranking came out and Trey had moved to third place in the nation in his age group.

As much as Trey enjoys traveling, he still loves participating in the First Tee of Arkansas in Blytheville. He has had the honor of being able to work with others who are part of the First Tee demonstrating his game and talking to them about his experiences. Even at 10 years old, Trey enjoys giving back to the younger golfers and encouraging them.

He is not bashful when it comes to speaking. While playing in the world youth team challenge, Trey's team captain picked him to give a speech to the team expressing his love for the game and his desire to get better at golf.

Trey, an honor roll student, said just like math, he studies the courses he plays. He takes notes in his practice.

"Greens are different and you have to learn how to play each," Trey said. "Each course has its own personality."

Golf started out as a hobby for Trey and his dad. They thought it would be a good way for them to spend time together. They had no idea where the game would take them.

Trey is very appreciative of his parents for supporting him.

"I want to thank my parents and family for supporting me in my love of the game," Trey said. "They support me not just in golf but in everything."

"Since we realized Trey had a talent for golf, it has changed our lives," Mr. DePriest said. "Trey's golf has taken us places we would have never gone. We have met and made friends from all over the world."

The family also enjoys the time they spend together.

Trey said when he comes back from Pinehurst he and his dad plan on taking a little fishing time and four-wheeler time in between golf tournaments which will run through the middle of November.