20 Things You Didn't Know About Eric Cole

Eric Cole is a late bloomer, but the 35-year-old is starting to make a huge impression on the PGA Tour, with a string of top-10 finishes in his opening season to make the golf world sit up and take notice of his abilities. Here are some facts about the pro that you may not be aware of. 

1. Eric Cole was born on June 12, 1988 in Palm Springs, California.

2. Cole comes from a family of accomplished golfers. His mother, Laura Baugh, won the 1971 US Women’s Amateur at 16 years of age and was a regular on the LPGA Tour in the 1970s and 1980s. During her career, she was named 1973 LPGA Rookie of the Year and had 70 top 10s finished in her 25-year LPGA career. 

3. His father, Bobby Cole, is a native of South Africa, and registered 13 worldwide professional victories. He also finished tied for third in both the PGA Championship and The Open in 1974 and 1975, respectively.

4. Cole is one of seven siblings and grew up around golf courses as a result of both parents being professionals.

5. He started playing seriously at the age of 11 and, except for his parents, never had any other coaches during his development.

6. Cole attended Nova Southeastern University, a private research university with its main campus in Fort Lauderdale-Davie, Florida.

7. He also calls Florida home, and lives in Delray Beach in the state.

8. Cole honed his skills at Abacoa Golf Club in Florida and used to fill divots and set up the range there. Nowadays, the club serves the Eric Cole Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap in his honour.

9. At the age 14, while playing high school golf, Cole became a friend of Sam Saunders, the grandson of Arnold Palmer. He also got to know the seven-time Major-winning legend. The three played golf at Palmer’s home clubs, Bay Hill in Florida and Latrobe in Pennsylvania.

10. Later, Cole also caddied for Saunders several times, including at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour.

11. Cole played for Nova Southeastern University in NCAA DII but health problems threatened to derail his career. He was later diagnosed with adrenal condition Addison’s Disease and is also Type 1 diabetic.

12. He turned professional in 2009.

13. Cole has claimed 58 Minor League Golf Tour wins.

14. He earned his Korn Ferry Tour card in 2017 and played eight tournaments, making two cuts. His efforts earned him less than $5,000.

15. He was back on the Korn Ferry Tour by the 2020 season, before another spell on the Minor League Golf Tour. Eventually, though, he earned his PGA Tour card after finishing tied for third in the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Championship.

16. It didn't take him long to make an impression. Cole almost had his maiden PGA Tour victory in the 2023 Honda Classic, but missed out to Chris Kirk in a playoff.

17. He shot a career-low round of 61 later that year on his way to a T3 at the RSM Classic.

18. It was also the year his recorded his best finish in a Major - T15 in the PGA Championship at Oak Hill. He finished the year with seven top-10 finishes and was the only rookie to finish in the top 50 of the FedEx Cup standings.

19. He was named PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in early 2024, making him, at 35, the second oldest player to win the Arnold Palmer award after Todd Hamilton, who was 38 when he won it in 2004.

20. After a practice round before the 2023 Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Cole got down on one knee at Monterey Peninsula and proposed to his long-term girlfriend Stephanie Williams. She said yes, and the two married in December.

Who Is Eric Cole's Wife?

Eric Cole's wife is Stephanie Williams. The pair had been together for seven-and-a-half years when he proposed to her at Monterey Peninsula's Shore Course before the 2023 Pebble Beach Pro-Am. 

“I didn’t expect it. He totally surprised me,” Williams told PGATour.com. Cole said: “It was a long time coming. But better late than never. I got the answer I wanted.”

In December, Cole posted a message on his Instagram page with an image of the two on their wedding day, writing: "Best day of my life. Thanks to all our friends and family that helped make our wedding so special!"

What Are Eric Cole's Career Earnings?

Despite a long road to earn his PGA Tour card, Cole hasn't wasted time amassing some impressive career earnings. After his maiden season on the PGA Tour, he had accumulated earnings of $5,485,030, leaving him 324th on the career money list.

Who Did Eric Cole Caddie For?

At the age 14, Cole became a friend of Sam Saunders, the grandson of Arnold Palmer. As well as also getting to know the seven-time Major winner, Palmer caddied for Saunders several times. Saunders once told Global Golf Post: “I kept saying the guy coaching me is better than me at golf."