Coffee County High School senior Hayden Proffitt signed a golf scholarship to play at Freed-Hardeman University on Thursday. Pictured are, front row from left, Ty Proffitt, Hayden Proffitt, Sheila Proffitt and Elizabeth Proffitt; in back from left are WillowBrook PGA pro Barry Bishop, former CHS assistant coach Lucky Knott, CHS head coach Mike Ray and Freed-Hardeman coach Chris Hodges. (Photo and story by Josh Peterson- Manchester Times)
When Hayden Proffitt first witnessed a Coffee County Central High School golfer signing a college scholarship, he knew he wanted that for himself.
Thursday, that dream became a reality. Proffitt signed a golf scholarship with Freed-Hardeman University Thursday (May 26) surrounded by a room full of his friends, family, coaches and teammates at the CHS library.
“I started playing golf in the eighth grade and when I got to high school and actually saw people signing scholarships, I said right then that I wanted that to be me,” said Proffitt. “For years, four years in a row now, there have been golfers signing college scholarships out of Coffee County and to know I’m continuing that tradition … I’m just blessed.”
Hayden Proffitt tee’s off on the eighth hole of the Lakewood Country Club in Tullahoma Monday during the regional golf tournament.
Hayden Proffitt tee’s off on the eighth hole of the Lakewood Country Club in Tullahoma Monday during the regional golf tournament. (Manchester Times File Photo)
Proffitt’s scholarship offer came only a couple of weeks ago, after he was almost completely enrolled at the University of Tennessee at Martin.
“I was almost fully enrolled at UT-Martin, actually,” explained Proffitt. “Then two weeks ago [Freed-Hardeman] coach [Chris Hodges] called and talked to me about playing and I thought about it and, it was a really good offer, and I said absolutely I’m gonna’ take it. I couldn’t be more excited.
“It has been my dream to play college golf, so I couldn’t turn it down.”
Freed-Hardeman is a private university located in Henderson, Tenn. The Lions are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division 1 (NAIA).
The Lions won the Labor Day Intercollegiate tournament in Illinois this past golf season and took second place out of 10 teams in the Loyola New Orleans Spring Invitational.
“This past year they had five freshmen competing and had a really competitive roster,” said Proffitt. “That tells me this is a competitive team that I have got my foot in the door with and I can’t be more excited.”
[Story and photo compliments of Josh Peterson of the Manchester Times and used with permission.]
