( atc )
AGE: 18
COLLEGE: Hampton University
HOMETOWN: Chesapeake
FUN FACT: Whiten posted a pair
of rounds in the 60s during the
fall season at Hampton.
me he would play basketball
if I came out for golf. So that’s
how I got into the game. I’ve
only had one golf coach my
whole life and he still to this
day is my golf coach.
Next Up
Spotlighting the
next generation of
Virginia golfers
VG: Making it to the finals
of the Drive, Chip and Putt
Championship in 2015 was
quite an accomplishment.
What do you remember about
that weekend? Which profes-
sionals did you get to meet
and interact with? And how
did that experience help your
golf career?
EW: I remember it being the
best weekend of my life and
being able to step on the sacred
grounds of Augusta National
was unreal. All I remember was
the course had no mistakes,
luscious grass, and everything
was perfect. I met Miguel
Angel Jimenez, Fred Couples, and many
more. This helped me because they gave
me advice on how they made it to be where
there are and to this day it still helps me.
RISING
STAR
EVERETT WHITEN JR. made his presence known on the Virginia High School scene
when he finished in a tie for fourth at the Virginia High School League’s 4A individual
championship in the fall of 2017. His strong play for Great Bridge High School, coupled
with good showings in VSGA junior championships, put him squarely on the recruiting
radar for Hampton University head coach Dennis Nelson.
Whiten hasn’t disappointed. As a true freshman this past fall, Whiten was the Pirates’
low scorer in four of five events. He finished third overall in events at Savannah State and
Maryland-Eastern Shore. He’ll be a key player going forward as HU transitions from the
Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference (MEAC) to the Big South, historically a much more
difficult golf conference.
Whiten, who was one of 37 high school seniors to receive scholarships from the
VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation in 2017, took some time to discuss his game with
Virginia Golfer.
Virginia Golfer: What has been the big-
gest adjustment for you going from high
school to college golf?
Everett Whiten Jr.: The biggest adjust-
ment would have to be juggling more
schoolwork, harder courses, and way
more golf in back-to-back days.
12
VG: You didn’t start playing the game until
you were 12 years old. What drew you to
playing golf and who were some of your
earliest teachers and inspirations?
EW: Actually, my best friend got me into
the game, he was the best golfer in my
school and I played basketball, so he told
V I R G I N I A G O L F E R | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 18
VG: What are you studying at Hampton,
and what are some of your career aspira-
tions outside of golf?
EW: I am an MBA Major and my career
aspirations are to one day get into real
estate, become a sales executive, and/or
financial advisor.
VG: What are some of your favorite mem-
ories from playing in VSGA champion-
ships during your time as a junior?
EW: My favorite memory from a VSGA
Championship would have to be play-
ing in my last VSGA Junior Stroke play
Championship, being in the top three,
competing in the final groups and end-
ing my junior career with a good finish
overall.
vsga.org
by CHRIS LANG