Known as Mr. Clutch to friends and family, Chase Hughes is ranked among the top junior golfers in the world. As a legacy golfer — his father, Nick Hughes, played for Oklahoma City University and his older brother, Rhett, currently plays for the University of Nebraska — Chase has been involved with golf since the age of 2.
“I used to play with my dad a lot,” Chase said. “He would take me to the driving range. That was fun. I stuck with it.”
Now 14 years old and going into his freshman high school year, Chase sees himself playing at the collegiate level. To accomplish this goal, Chase plays in the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), among others.
“Chase played in his first tournament at 4 years old,” Nick Hughes said. “Now he goes all over the country finding the best competition. This year (so far) we have been to Mexico, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Michigan and Arkansas. Our next competition will be in Florida, then after that we are headed to California.”
At the time of this writing, Chase is ranked 64th within the AJGA/ Rolex Junior Golf Rankings that includes any junior 19 and under who has not yet started college. Within these rankings, Chase is the No. 1 ranked golfer in the world in the 2028 graduating class. Thousands of golfers belong to the AJGA.
“He is in the top 100 golfers in the world who aren’t in college,” Hughes said.
Rankings in the AJGA are performance based. The AJGA is considered by many to be the best way to be recognized by college scouts. The AJGA is designed to help athletes gain visibility to the top-rated colleges in the country.
“I would like to play for Oklahoma State (University), (University of) Oklahoma or Arizona State (University),” Chase said. “My mom went to Oklahoma State.”
He has also considered Florida, Tennessee, Alabama and Auburn. While he has not decided on a major, he is interested in accounting.
AJGA tournaments are preparing Chase to realize his full potential by competing against the top players in the country. Chase also plays in other national and international events as well. Just last month he competed in the U.S. Junior Amateur that took place at Oakland Hills in Michigan. The field consisted of 264 of the top juniors in the world. Chase was the fifth youngest competitor in the field where he finished 32nd in the stroke play competition. The top 64 advanced to match play where Chase won his first match before losing in the second round to the eventual runner-up. By winning in the first round, Chase became one of the youngest competitors ever to win a match in the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.
Chase practices at the Gaillardia Country Club in his hometown, Oklahoma City.
Chase is proud of his long game. The long game focuses on distance and power, placing the ball where the golfer wants far down the course. Chase says he is a “better iron player” than anything else. He spends five to six hours a day practicing his swing form, as well as his short game skills by chipping and putting.
The entire family’s commitment to the game is intense. As of July this year, Chase has played in more than 15 tournaments all over the country. With a season typically beginning in May and lasting until October, Chase averages playing approximately 20 tournaments a year.
“The big event he qualified for was in New York City at Bethpage Black which is the site of the 2025 Ryder Cup,” Hughes said. “The top 32 players in the AJGA rankings were invited to this tournament. For his age, that is uncommon. He was the only 14-year[1]old. The rest of the players were 16 to 18. He did well here. He finished ninth.”
According to Chase, he is most proud of winning the U.S. Kids Golf Championship as a 10-year-old. He shot a 63 in the final round to win this tournament. That was nine under par.
“It was everything I dreamed of up to that point. To me that was the biggest tournament in golf,” Chase said. “Since winning that (championship), I have learned that golfing is not my whole life. I put way too much pressure on myself when I was younger. I took it way too serious.”
While pursuing a goal, Chase keeps golf fun by playing with his family and friends. He is engaged in a fun sibling golf rivalry with Rhett. His sister, Bree, can often be found at his tournaments cheering him on.
“I am proud of Chase, of everything he has accomplished,” Bree said.
While golf is important to Chase, his mom, Ashley, and dad are quick to remind him where his primary focus needs to be: academics. Chase has a 3. 8 cumulative grade-point average. He is currently homeschooled. His family uses Oklahoma City’s Epic Charter School curriculum.
“Golf is what Chase does, it is not who he is,” his mother said. “If something was to happen and Chase could not play, I want him to know he will be OK. He’ll just have to find something else he likes to do.”
The family is proud of Chase’s Chickasaw heritage. He received his heritage from his mother’s side of the family. The family is originally from Velma, just east of Duncan, Oklahoma. According to Ashley Hughes, his grandmother and great grandmother live in the Duncan area and enjoy their local Chickasaw Nation Senior Center.
“My Chickasaw heritage means a lot to me,” Chase said. “I like to represent my grandparents, and I know how much their Chickasaw heritage means to them.”