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Collector, Continued from page 3
his life around attending tourna-
ments, seeing iconic courses, and
collecting souvenir flags that mark
where he’s been.
“By God’s grace, a frugal upbring-
ing, wise career choices, and an in-
credibly understanding wife, I’ve
been able to pursue this passion,”
said Hatmaker.
Hatmaker will be celebrating 38
years of marriage in October.
In Fall 2014, Hatmaker had knee
replacement surgery, physical ther-
apy in the winter, and was back at a
tournament in the spring walking
with a cane to the first green.
“We had tickets, I wasn’t not going
to go,” said Hatmaker.
Hatmaker doesn’t attend these
golf events alone. Basch has always
been by Hatmaker’s side. “We’ve
gone all over the world to golf events.
We both love it. He loved playing the Kevin Hatmaker posing with the Claret
game initially, but we both got
hooked on professional events,” said Jug (the trophy for winning the Open
Hatmaker. Championship, aka “British Open”) in
Hatmaker and Basch left for their 2017 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in
12th Masters on Sunday, April 5th. Southport England. The current Claret
“I’m most looking forward to
walking in and seeing that first view Jug trophy dates back to 1928, awarded
of the course – that panoramic view to Walter Hagen. Each year the cham-
of that first hole. It's just beautiful, it pion receives the original trophy, but
looks better than it does on TV,” said must return the trophy before next year’s
Hatmaker.
Hatmaker and Basch will be at Open.
the Masters in Atlanta until Sunday, the ropes, hoping they sign my sou-
April 12th. venir flag and soaking in the mo-
“I will always be there at tourna- ment. Because now I know who I am.
ments, chatting with players along I’m a collector,” said Hatmaker.

Dave Basch (left) and Kevin Hatmaker in front of the scoreboard at Augusta National
Country Club for the Masters Tournament in 2016. Phones and connected devices
are still not allowed on the grounds at Augusta National, so this photo was taken
by an old school camera, which are only allowed on practice days of the tournament.
The Wayne Dispatch · April 2026 · 5