Ever Heard of Stiggy Hodgson?

STIGGY HODGSON IS 19 YEARS OLD and has 19 holes-in-one. If my math is correct, that’s one per year. From Chester, England, Hodgson is the world’s No. 12 ranked amateur. His nickname is “Mighty Mouse,” and you can say it to his face—he likes it. I read about Stiggy at Global Golf Post, the new online golf magazine that covers the pro and amateur games.

Last year Hodgson was a Walker Cupper and had some high finishes in important amateur events in Great Britain. He first broke 70 when he was a fourth-grader and has shot a 61. He plays with Callaway woods and Wilson irons. Perhaps surprising, his favorite golf course is in America—Pine Valley. His biggest fear is OB and he immensely enjoys Indian cuisine. (So I have at least two things in common with Stiggy.)

I guess Hodgson’s game does have at least one weak point. Stiggy says he needs work on his long-iron play. (I didn’t know modern players even hit long irons anymore.)

His advice for you and me: Do 90 percent of your practice from 100 yards and in. (Practice?)

I like his name. It’s memorable. Maybe we’ll be hearing it more in the future.

−The Armchair Golfer