Local phenom prepares for CareerBuilder Challenge

This year’s CareerBuilder Challenge will have a field composed of top ten players, former major champions, and PGA TOUR veterans. Included in that field is a kid who hasn’t even finished high school, but is looking to make waves on the pro tour, 18-year-old Charlie Reiter.

Practice makes perfect for Reiter as the Palm Desert High School student is already making strides as a young golfer, winning amateur tournaments and getting a golf scholarship at the University of Southern California.

“Fight On!” Reiter exclaims.

Those accomplishments would put many high school golfers to the top, but Reiter is a unique case, being the first amateur to get a sponsors exemption into the CareerBuilder Challenge.

“I’ve been watching this since I can remember and to be playing in it makes it makes it all the more special,” he said.

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This tournament marks Reiter’s first PGA TOUR start. He already made waves on the professional circuit making the cut at the Australian Open, holding his own against the world’s best golfers. This time he’ll try to do it in front of a hometown crowd.

“A bunch of my friends and high school teachers are like ‘Oh we’ll come out and watch’,” he said. “Makes it a little more meaningful for me.”

Also meaningful, inspiring future golfers in the Coachella Valley.

“I always see them out there on the golf course,” he said. “I always try to practice with them. Give advice here and there. I always try to make the younger kids think golf isn’t so bad.”

Reiter admits he’s nervous, but is committed to his game. While he can drive for show, it’s all about him putting for dough.

“Just got to put it in play and putting,” he said. “Putting out here is going to be huge. I got to make a lot of putts.”