Deaf professional golfer Kevin Hall wins APGA at Mission Hills

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – For Kevin Hall, he may not be able to hear the golf ball as it connects with his club, but it's never kept him from success.

The Advocates Professional Golf Association held its first of three Farmers Insurance Fall Series tournaments at Mission Hills Country Club this week. Hall, the Cincinnati native, earned the win on Wednesday and continues to shine on the course.

Hall is a veteran of the APGA Tour, turning 44 next week, and captured his ninth career APGA Tour title at Mission Hills Pete Dye Challenge Course.

"It means a lot because you don't know how many chances you get after you turn 40," Hall said in American Sign Language while his mother Jackie Hall interpreted.

With high temperatures and some humidity in Rancho Mirage, Hall said the weather was his biggest challenge through the tournament. He said staying focused was a consistent battle, but one he needed to face especially on the 18th hole.

"The challenges was the heat, but you have to stay mentally strong from start to end," Hall said. "This golf course, Pete Dye, you have all the trouble off the tee [and] tough greens. So, the challenges is to mentally get into the game the whole time."

Hall played in the final group in Wednesday's final round, and needed to close out regulation with a birdie to tie for first with 21-year-old Grant Lester - who mentioned to APGA staff he turned pro "technically yesterday. I've been a pro for, like, 36 hours."

On the 18th hole, Hall played exactly how he wanted to, managing to tie with Lester at 7-under-par 137 after the regulation 36 holes.

The pair ultimately went into a playoff, by replaying the par-4 18th hole. Hall's drive found the right side of the fairway, while Lester found the water from the tee box and again in his drop shot just past the tee box.

Hall even found the water himself, hitting his second-shot approach into the water greenside. But, he still found the playoff win with a bogey and earned a $10,000 prize for winning the APGA at Mission Hills.

"I want people, especially the deaf community, to dream big," Hall said. "Don't settle for less. If you think you can do it, go do it."

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of golf in the Coachella Valley.