Meet Will Zalatoris’s Parents Whose Big Sacrifices Made the PGA Tour Pro’s Dream Come True

The world of golf is full of young talents, one individual who has captured the admiration of fans is Will Zalatoris. The 27-year-old, professional golfer was born in San Francisco, California. He actively competes on the PGA Tour and various other major tours. As the young professional continues to showcase his prowess on the field, curiosity surrounding his exceptional skills is growing, and the individuals who played a substantial role in his journey- his parents.

His father, Richard Zalatoris introduced him to the golfing world. Meanwhile, his mother Catherine Zalatoris instilled in him the determination to compete and thrive. Will regularly expresses his gratitude for the unwavering support he enjoys from his family.

A Father’s Influence

There is limited knowledge about the lives of professional golfer’s parents. Nevertheless, the golfer has disclosed certain details about his parents. Richard’s love for both his son and the sport, guided Will to renowned golf clubs, including Augusta Nationals and the California Golf Club. Will started training with his father at a very young age. At the age of seven, Will was already laying the groundwork with his father. Richard also allowed Will to develop his playing style without imposing any specific techniques on him.

Will has also inherited a love for food which he picked up from his dad he told PGATour.com “I get it from my dad. He worked for 35 years in retail and was trying all these different restaurants, trying to get chefs that owned their small shops to branch out and come to his properties”.  

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Will once said to his father “I never felt that overbearing presence that so many kids might feel”, as he didn’t attend Will’s golf lessons instead allowed him to grow on his own. Zalatoris’ father also has experience of playing golf at Augusta National, before The Masters in 2021.

Insightful Support from his mother

Even though Catherine didn’t play golf herself she has a good understanding of the sport and struggle around it. Will received the competitive nature from his mother itself. She was an athlete in her day just like Will, she used to race 400 and 800-meter sprints in Oregon.

Catherine also brought Will to the gym so that he could compete against the youngsters. Will’s mother’s athletic mindset has been immensely beneficial during the initial phases of his training. Will avoids exerting excessive pressure on himself, since he still follows his mom’s advice “She always told me: don’t force anything early,” and believes everything has its own time.

Will Zalatoris Dedicates Achievements to Parents

Will has always dedicated his achievements to his parents. When he was named the 2020 Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year, he dedicated this honor to his father, stating, “There’s no Korn Ferry Tour trophy sitting at home without my dad bringing me to a driving range when I was 7 years old just to hit thousands of balls into a net 15 feet in front of us.” He believes that an honor that acknowledges his exceptional performance and consistency throughout the season wouldn’t be possible without his dad.

As Will Zalatoris continues to make waves in the golfing world, his parents consistently provide unwavering support and a perpetual well being of constant inspiration. The impact of Zalatoris family goes beyond the golf course as well as he navigates through the challenges and triumphs of his evolving career also anticipating uncertain future alongside his family.

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