Kevin O'Connor is making a resurgence in his Golden Tee career.  At the beginning of the 2024 National #GoldenTee Tour, O'Connor took 3rd place at the Florida Open.  He also took 1st place in the Seniors Event at the Carolina Clash in October, and most recently took 1st place in a Northeast regional the second weekend in November.  His consistent presence in the upper echelons of the sport has made him a respect figure on the National #GoldenTee Tour.

Kevin's journey into competitive Golden Tee began in 2012, when he first encountered the game's elite players at a tournament in Chicago.  That experience was a pivotal moment, igniting a competitive spirit in him that has only grown over time.  He's been a high level competitor in the tournament scene ever since, with the notable exception of his debut event in 2012, where he missed the cut.

Kevin has a competitive nature at his core and this spirit is fostered throughout his family.  Kevin spoke lovingly of his family, mentioning that his 11 year old son Ryan and 13 year old daughter Lauren both play on multiple travel sports teams.  Kevin also proudly reflected that his son's Golden Tee handicap was 22 at just 8 years old!

Despite his competitive edge, Kevin is known for his humility.  He acknowledges that his rise to prominence wasn't instantaneous.  Early on, he played Golden Tee casually with friends, but everything changed when he met Tom Putty in 2011.  Tom, with his deep knowledge of the game's technicalities, helped Kevin elevate his play and turned him into a "decent player."

In addition to Tom, Kevin is supported by a strong local community in Virginia, including stalwarts like Steven "Puff" Kramer, Aiden Cleary, and Mike Ayoub.  They make up the backbone of the region's Golden Tee scene, regularly competing together and pushing each other to grow their game to the next level.

Kevin's run at this year's Florida Open was a testament to his ability to capitalize on breaks when needed.  He credits his success in part to a bit of good fortune in his matches against top players like Eddie G and Paul Tayloe, though he admits it's not all about luck.  His eventual exit from the tournament came at the hands of Sean Gervais, who was playing exceptionally well.

When it came to the Carolina Clash, Kevin was the clear favorite going into the Seniors bracket.  But what made his victory especially impressive was that he didn't drop a single match, a rare feat in such a competitive environment.  Notably, he faced challenges in two key matches, where he was down a stroke going into hole 18.

But Kevin's ability to execute under pressure shone through, especially during his dramatic match against Oliver Ayala.  Tied after hitting a stunning ace on hole 18 to force overtime, Kevin went on to claim victory, a moment he described as the best shot he's ever hit in match play.

Kevin continues to run hot in 2024, recently winning the 2024 Northeast regional Golden Tee player run tournament.  Kevin faced off against 30 other seasoned competitors.  Kevin defeated Mike Ayoub in the King of the Hill match and Mike Piloti in the grand finals.  When it was all said and done, Kevin sealed the deal and not only won the tournament but was the first to have back-to-back victories at this event.

Looking ahead, Kevin is already eyeing the defense of his Seniors title at next year's Carolina Clash.  However, he's quick to joke that the term "senior" doesen't suit him yet, urging the team at PEGT to reconsider the name of the division.

He's not ready to slow down anytime soon, and if his recent performances are any indication, the Golden Tee world should continue to watch out for Kevin O'Connor as he adds more chapters to his remarkable career.