It is rare to find someone who is only 33 years old but has already played golf for 30 years. But that’s what Patrick Cantlay has done. Having started playing at just three, he has made a name for himself in golf’s elite. His dedication, calm focus, and steady play are qualities he has developed while growing up. It all comes from the environment he grew up in and the support he received from his parents. Patrick Cantlay’s parents, Steve and Colleen, are his biggest fans.
The 8 PGA Tour victories holder was born to Steve and Colleen on March 17, 1992, in Long Beach, California. His journey from a golf-loving child to a world-class athlete hasn’t been in isolation. His parents have been a part of it since he was introduced to the game at three, and they continue to support him now that he has become a household name.
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Meet Steve Cantlay: Patrick’s father
Steve Cantley has played a significant role in his son’s career, as he was the one who introduced three-year-old Patrick. The 2021 FedEx Cup champion’s father has his own athletic background. He played baseball at UCLA before turning his attention to golf. After turning his attention to golf, Steve became a club champion golfer at Virginia Country Club. And it was at this very club that Patrick was exposed to the game at a young age. Steve’s strong sports background helped him instill competitive and ethical values in Patrick and his siblings.
It won’t be wrong to say that Steve was the one who mentored his son during his earliest days of learning. During these days, Patrick Cantlay also observed many other golfers, such as John Merrick, who helped him improve his game.
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In fact, in an interview after his son’s SCGA win in 2011, Steve said, “It’s been a dream. We’ve got one of his buddies back at the Virginia Country Club who has given him a lot of advice over the years. John Merrick won this event several years back.”
This exposure and environment are something Patrick’s sister, Caroline Cantlay, has also witnessed.
“We all pretty much grew up at the golf course, but I actually really didn’t like golf at first because it’s what my brothers did. Once I started, it was really nice having people around the house to rely on and learn from,” Caroline said during an interview with gopoly.com.
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This shows how having access to golfers who have played many tournaments and simply being able to observe them has helped shape Patrick’s early career.
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Steve has publicly praised the values and ethics Patrick has developed over the years.
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“We’ve all been inspired by Patrick and especially by his work ethic,” said the family’s head.
Steve, along with his wife, Colleen, now runs a real estate settlement company, Westport Escrow. It is one of Southern California’s biggest real estate settlement companies.
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Colleen Cantlay: Patrick’s mother and pillar of support
Colleen Naylan Cantlay is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where she met Steve Cantlay. While Steve gave their kids early exposure, Colleen has been a support system to them. The mother of four, she has emphasized creating a culture of equal opportunities. It is thanks to her that Patrick and his siblings, who are all playing golf, focus on steady progress.
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She has also emphasized the same during her interview with gopoly.com. “We feel extremely blessed to be able to play golf in our family, but none of my children were born playing. Each one has worked consistently to make it happen. All we provided was a culture of opportunity and encouragement. Each day you have one little win in the right direction, string them together and you can create a force of momentum that will carry you to places you never imagined,” Colleen reflected.
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Patrick Cantlay’s golf career: From amateur to PGA Tour star
Patrick Cantlay’s parents introduced him to golf at the young age of three, when he studied at the Servite High School, where his golfing skills became clear quickly. In an interview with the PGA, his school’s PE teacher,
Dane Jako revealed that he broke the course record during a varsity match at Western Hills Country Club. “He broke the course record, shot 31 on the front nine,” said Jako. “He beat a senior from Long Beach Wilson, a good school that Paul Goydos had gone to. The kid was committed to go to Loyola-Marymount.”
Once the school and his team saw his skills, Patrick earned leadership roles. By the time he was a senior, he had won the California State High School Championship. Like his parents, the consistent star went to the University of California. During his time at UCLA, Patrick won many awards, including the Haskins Award and the GCAA Division I Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year. He was part of the 2011 American Walker Cup team and holds the record of 54 consecutive weeks as World No.1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
After his days as an amateur, Patrick turned professional in June 2012, debuting in the 2012 Travelers Championship. However, his first win came in 2013 at the Colombia Championship. His PGA Tour success started with the Shriners Children’s Open in 2017. He then won the Zozo Championship (2020) and Memorial Tournament (2019 and 2021) before finally making the headlines with his 2021 FedEx Cup Championship victory, which also increased his net worth.
Cantlay started the championship at 10 under par and maintained the lead wire-to-wire, finishing 21 under par over 72 holes. What made this victory more special was his runner-up opponent, Jon Rahm, who was World No.1 back then. The 2021 FedEx Cup champion hit a crucial 6-iron shot on the 18th hole to set up a birdie and leave Rahm behind just one stroke in the end.
By now, Patrick has collected 8 PGA Tour victories, four of which came in the 2020-2021 season alone. He has also played in many team events, like the Ryder Cup. He was part of the 2021 American team that defeated Europe 19-9 in the Ryder Cup.
Patrick Cantlay’s PGA Tour success results from the many years of discipline and exposure he has had, thanks to his parents. His father’s athletic background and his mother’s philosophy of focusing on slow progress have shaped Patrick’s career.