Jack Clark, the Town Crier's golf reporter, provided this answer to Kimberlie's question:

Hi, Kimberlie-

Thanks for asking your question.

Before Brendan was in high school, his older brother — a head greenskeeper — interested him in golf, and Brendan appeared to have game. Since he lived in Idyllwild, a small town of less than 4,000 people a mile high in the mountains, his parents put in an artificial-grass putting green next to their house, with an adjoining sand trap and chipping area.

They also erected a net so he could practice full shots. This way they didn't need to drive him down to Hemet, some 45 minutes away, to practice every day.

Later, when Brendan went to Hemet High School, he was on the golf team and down there anyway; so he then had access to real courses and practice facilities.

His folks' practice area has been kept in good condition and Brendan still uses it occasionally when he's visiting them.

By the way, you might be interested: When I was checking in at the PGA media tent last Wednesday, the fellow working the photographer's table said that he really liked to watch Brendan play and hoped he did well. He told me Brendan was "the nicest guy on the tour."

I hope you enjoy following Brendan's golf career as much as I do, Kimberlie. Thanks again for asking your question.

Jack Clark
(covering Brendan for the Idyllwild Town Crier)