Meet Hudson Justus! Hudson captured first place in the Boys 12–13 division at the 11th Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals in April; the competition was held at Augusta National Golf Club. This marked his second time competing at Augusta, having also participated in 2023.
The Drive, Chip and Putt competition is a free youth golf initiative backed by the Masters Tournament, USGA, and PGA of America. Open to boys and girls ages 7–15, the contest challenges young golfers in accuracy, chipping, and putting. The top finishers advanced through subregional and regional events, with 80 national finalists earning a spot at Augusta.
Hudson attends Lakeview Academy and is in 7th grade. His parents are Scott and Dawn Justus and he has a sister; Layton.
We want to thank Hudson for spending time with us recently and telling us more about his life and love of Hall County
Question: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Answer: “I have a sister that’s 11 years old, and she goes to Mount Vernon Exploratory School. And my dad is the middle school principal here at Lakeview Academy and my mom is commercial lender at United Community Bank.”
Q: What’s your favorite thing about living in Hall County?
A: The amount of different culture…Just many places to go and see.”
Q: What are a couple? Of your favorite restaurants in Hall County and what do you like to get there?
A: “Chattahoochee Grill and getting the Philly Mickelson. Pueblo’s, just the beef burrito.”
Q: When did you start golfing? Can you tell us about your recent win in Augusta?
A: I started when I was three years old. It was surreal. I had been to DCP one time already and I really practiced the putting and chipping because when I went before those were the two areas I didn’t do well. The speed and contours of those greens are not something you can just see one time.
“I was disappointed in my drive but knew after getting second in the chip I had a chance. I was nervous but worked on my breathing as I read the first putt. When it dropped I got pumped and yelled, ‘let’s go!’ I had to make the second one to give myself a chance at winning. I again had to breathe and saw the line, it never left the hole. Getting to shake Condolezza Rices hand was an honor! And meeting Scottie Scheffler was crazy! It was an amazing day and even now people congratulate me. Mr. Simpson, my head of school at Lakeview, even had a banner made and added it to our baseball fence with our other state champions.”
Q: What’s something on your bucket list?
A: “To win all four majors.”
Q: What inspired you to golf? What do you love about it?
A: “Whenever my dad took me to the golf course for the first time and I like being able to travel and meet a lot of cool people from different places.”
Q: Who’s your coach? What do you like about him?
A: “His name is Mike McCall and I how positive he is with me. He’s just a great guy.”
Q: What do you want to study in college?
A: “I honestly have no clue, so I guess will feel it out.”
Q: Favorite golf golfer of all time and why?
A: “Justin Thomas because he sent me a video when I was young.”
