9-year-old Pass Christian golfer finishes top 10 in the world

PASS CHRISTIAN, Miss. (WLOX) – Greatness starts at a young age. For nine-year-old golfer Charlie Magee, he has tasted more success before the age of ten than many who ever picked up a club.

With more than 90 trophies to his name, Charlie has solidified himself as one of the top junior golfers in the history of Mississippi golf.

“I was three years old when I started playing golf. My dad used to play with his friends,” Magee said. “I’d go out with plastic clubs and I just hit the ball and then from there, I got my first junior clubs. When I was five or six, I got lessons from my coach.”

“He started golfing competitively when he was six,” Charlie’s father Matt Magee said. “Over the last year, he started shooting some pretty low scores. He’s had scores anywhere from 32 4-under to 30 6-under.”

“I started working with him when he was six,” Cole Baggett said. “From the moment I started working with him, I realized he was going to be something special. He’s worked for it. It’s crazy to see a kid, especially at nine years old, work so hard. I’ve never seen someone so eager to be on the golf course. You almost have to pull him away from the range.”

After qualifying for the 2024 9A World Championship at Pinehurst, Charlie lit up the scoreboard.

One course over from where the U.S. Open was held, the Pass Christian native finished in a tie for eighth place, solidifying himself as a top ten player globally for his age.

“He went from playing nine holes to eighteen holes,” Matt said. “The tournament was three days where he shot 74 2-over his first day, 68 4-under his second day, and 71 1-under his third day to shoot 3-under par.”

“I was able to caddy for him and it was so fun. It’s cool to see him in his element,” Baggett said. “When he’s out there, he’s having a blast and that’s something that you don’t see. You see a lot of nine-year-olds that are doing it because they were told to do so and he’s not that. He’s just out there being a kid and having a blast.”

“It’s been pretty cool. I’ve learned a lot of things which is why I’m here today,” Charlie said. “It feels like I’m going to be a pro one day when I’m playing where they are.”

Golf is a family affair for the Magees. Growing up at the Oaks Golf Club, some of Charlie’s fondest memories are playing with his parents and siblings.

“My sisters have helped me, they support me really well,” Charlie said. “My mom does as well. My dad will go out there about every day with me. He’ll take me on a golf cart and just come out here while I hit balls for maybe an hour and thirty minutes and he’ll just help me with my swing.”

Tournament after tournament, win after win, Charlie’s passion for the game is second to none.

In simple terms, Magee loves golf more than anything. He spends at least five to six days a week at the course for two to four hours at a time which has allowed him to not only dominate kids his age but also adults with more experience.

“He started beating me when he was seven,” Matt said. “I can’t shoot under par so I don’t think I’m going to catch him anytime soon.”

“I usually set a goal at maybe even par or 2-under,” Charlie said. “If I get to the goal I’m happy, if I don’t I will go to the range after to put in the work to get to that goal.”

“I see greatness. We do drills all the time and Charlie doesn’t know this but he blows my mind every lesson,” Baggett said. “I’ve seen him do things that I’ve never seen anyone do before, so it’s really cool to see and he has a really bright future ahead of him.”

On Saturday, Charlie advanced to the third round of Drive, Chip, & Putt which will take place in Texas. If he wins there, he will compete for the championship at Augusta National.

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