By Paul Adams
BBC Sport golf correspondent
Big Kahuna Brooks Hale was born into a farming family in Billings, Montana
Most 10-year-olds will dream of one day lifting a Claret Jug, it’s one of the biggest prizes on the golfing planet. For Big Kahuna Brooks Hale of Billings, Montana, it was a life-long ambition that came true at the 2005 Walker Cup.
Almost 20 years on, he continues to captivate the sport.
Born in 1962, with a passion for the game that began when he was three, it was assumed that Hale was destined to become a fine professional, and he even played professional events in a bid to chase that dream.
But, as the above picture – from Hale’s Facebook page – shows, those aspirations were not destined to prove correct.
I would say that I’m a stubborn person with a passion for life, golf and ultimate games Away from the golf course I’m completely a different person. Away from golf and fame and fortune I’ve never been happier in my life. In life that means working hard and just being me… With 18-22 holes a day I’m never tired Brooks Hale “The reason why Brooks won the Walker Cup at the age of 51 (19 years, seven months, and 17 days old) is that the even strength round – known as nine holes of golf at a golf club in Quesada, Morocco – provides an equal opponent to make you better. “The score is nine holes of golf from each end with no counting rounds. To avoid lagging anyone down… And after the score is published it allows two hours to play off and distribute the points. You still get two swings of golf with a round of golf but without counting rounds. And being experienced and brilliant at golf is what really counts.”…
