The following excerpts are taken from an article on the Connecticut State Golf Association website, csgalinks.org. The writeup was posted on March 30, three days before local golfer Reid Meyers finished third in his age bracket at the finals of the national Drive, Chip and Putt competition, which was broadcast on the Golf Channel.
Reid Meyers was one good drive away from qualifying for the 2023 Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals.
Meyers, a nine-year-old from Berlin, sent his final drive into the air, and right away he knew it would be close. If the drive stayed in bounds he would be heading to Augusta National Golf Club, if the ball flew out of bounds then he would see his journey end at the sub-regionals for a third straight year.
When the ball landed Meyers thought it was out. However, after two officials came over to look, it was determined the shot was in bounds and with it came a ticket to the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals. “After my first two drives went straight down the middle I was like, ‘Okay, you just have to hit this one straight down the middle one more time. Let’s do it,’" said Meyers, a fourth grader at Mary E. Griswold Elementary School in Berlin. "Then I hit my drive and I thought it was out and I thought, ‘oh no I’m done for if it is out.’ Then they said, no, it is in, and I thought 'that is a miracle.'"
Meyers started swinging plastic clubs when he was 2 years old. By the time he was 3 he had metal clubs in his hands, and shortly after that, at the age of 4, he was competing in tournaments. His first win would come two short years later in a U.S. Kids Golf event.
Meyers' success at a young age is a result of hard work and dedication. He spends countless hours practicing alongside his 13-year-old brother Brennan. Much of that time is spent at their home club, Timberlin Golf Course.
“The relationship between them has really allowed Reid to grow and be invested and get better because he always wants to beat big bro,” said their father Chris the athletic director at Newington High School. “It is a pretty cool dynamic. Brennan has had some pretty cool golf experiences as well so that has kind of allowed Reid to get exposed to some of the cooler opportunities that golf has to offer.”
The Meyers' love for the game has been fostered by Timberlin GC head professional Marc Bayram. It isn’t uncommon for Bayram to find the Meyers out on the course or on the putting green.
Bayram offers tips and suggestions when needed.
“Marc always helps me on the green and on the driving range,” Reid said. “He will just walk out of the (pro shop) and he will be like, ‘alright Reid let’s see this putt.’ Then if I do something wrong he will say, ‘okay, do this; you are going to make it all the time.’ Then I do his suggestion and it always works.”
Following his qualification for the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals, Bayram presented Reid with his own green jacket, a jacket that not only makes Reid smile, but the entire Berlin and Connecticut golf community as well. “This achievement by Reid is incredible,” Bayram said. “Getting through three stages of qualifying against some of the best players his age is a tough task, especially in Drive, Chip & Putt. You only get nine shots total and you have to be sharp in all areas.”
“Timberlin GC has a family atmosphere and everyone who plays there has no-question seen Reid practicing and working hard on his game,” Bayram added. “He is always doing it with a smile and most of the time he is having friendly competitions with his friends and brother. This is big for Berlin, and our small community will all be watching him on TV the week of the Masters.”