Scott Hamilton Golf Academy has three players in this week's U.S. Open

If you are looking for players to favor during this week’s U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southhampton, New York, you may want to consider the local connection of three PGA Tour professionals.

Stallings, Varner, and Mullinax

Cartersville Country Club Director of Golf, Scott Hamilton (Scott Hamilton Golf Academy), has three players under his tutelage in this week’s U.S. Open Championship on the 7,440-yard, par-70 venue on Long Island.

Scott Stallings, Harold Varner III, and Trey Mullinax are all in the field this week and are students with the local golf teaching professional.

Hamilton, along with Bartow County resident Mike Granato, work with several touring professionals on the PGA Tour, PGA Champions Tour, WEB.com Tour, LPGA Tour, and others. They are also affiliated with other teaching professionals through Athletic Motion Golf.

Stallings, 33, is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School and Tennessee Tech. This is his second U.S. Open and first since 2013 when he tied for 53rd. Stallings qualified for the 2018 championship at Ridgeway Country Club in Memphis.

Scott Hamilton

and Mike Granato

Varner, 27, is one of the longest drivers on the PGA Tour despite being only 5-9, 165 pounds. Born in Ohio, Varner grew up in Gastonia, North Carolina. He has been professional since 2012 after playing at East Carolina University where he was Conference USA player of the year. His lone pro victory was the 2016 Australian PGA Championship.

Mullinax, 25, is from Birmingham, Alabama and played collegiately at the University of Alabama. He qualified for this year’s tournament by tying for ninth in last year’s U.S. Open. Statistically, Mullinax leads the PGA Tour in driving distance, averaging over 318 yards off the tee. He has made 10 cuts in 16 events this season with three top-10 and five top-25 finishes.