In a U.S. Kids Golf World Championship Tournament, Pass Christian’s Charlie Magee proved he’s one of the best in the world for his age group.
The young phenom finished tied for eighth place in the 2024 9A World Championship held at Pinehurst in North Carolina last weekend, where he shot 5-under par for the three-day tournament. It’s the latest achievement in a cupboard stuffed full of trophies for Charlie, with more than 90 to his name before the age of 10.
“I was three years old when I started playing golf,” Magee told WLOX. “My dad used to play with his friends. I’d go out with plastic clubs, and I just hit the ball and then, from there, I got my first junior clubs. When I was five or six, I got lessons from my coach.”
His instructor, Cole Baggett, says he immediately noticed the young golfer possessed a special talent. Baggett noted that Magee’s work ethic exceeds not only what he’s seen of young players, but of most he’s ever been around on the course. Perhaps more importantly, Charlie is having fun.
“I started working with him when he was six,” Baggett said. “He’s worked for it. It’s crazy to see a kid, especially at nine years old, work so hard. I’ve never seen someone so eager to be on the golf course. You almost have to pull him away from the range.
“When he’s out there, he’s having a blast and that’s something that you don’t see. You see a lot of nine-year-olds that are doing it because they were told to do so and he’s not that. He’s just out there being a kid and having a blast.”
Charlie’s father, Matt, says that his son has tagged along with him for as long as he can remember. Along with Charlie’s instructor, Matt has served as both a supporter, a coach, and a golf partner who already has the upper hand.
“He started beating me when he was seven,” Matt said. “I can’t shoot under par, so I don’t think I’m going to catch him anytime soon.”
Charlie has quickly become one of the most decorated young golfers in Mississippi history, with more chances to prove himself on the horizon. In his top 10 showing at Pinehurst, on the course adjacent to where the PGA U.S. Open is played, Magee qualified for the third round of the Drive, Chip, & Putt in Texas. If he comes out on top there, he’ll have a shot to compete for the championship at Augusta National, the world’s most prestigious golf course.
“I see greatness,” Baggett said of his training sessions with Charlie. “We do drills all the time, and Charlie doesn’t know this, but he blows my mind every lesson. I’ve seen him do things that I’ve never seen anyone do before, so it’s really cool to see and he has a really bright future ahead of him.”
