Mike Hoffman isn’t related to Academy Award winning actor Dustin Hoffman.
But his trophy haul from 2022 alone rivals the “Rain Man” star’s case. Mike Hoffman won five — yes five — events at Coatesville Country Club this season, including its men’s and senior championships.
“I don’t really know how it happened. It just kind of happened,” Hoffman, 56, of Coatesville, Pa., said. “When I wanted to do something, I was able to do it. Or with my partners, we were able to do it. Whatever needed to happen, seemed to happen, for whatever reason.”
Perhaps one swing in the spring foreshadowed Hoffman’s successful season. He tallied the first ace of his career. Hoffman hit a 3-hybrid on the 215-yard No. 6 at Coatesville.
“It was the perfect shot. As soon as I hit it, the guys in my group were like, ‘Whoa,’” Hoffman said. “It was a nice little draw. It landed five, six feet from the pin and went in.”
As for the gold, Hoffman won three individual and two team events at Coatesville. He claimed his fifth men’s championship with scores of 71, 74 and 74.
“My game is to keep the ball in front of me. Course management is my strength,” Hoffman said. “Hit it where you can get up and down. Hit it where you can make some putts. I’m a consistent ball-striker.”
In Coatesville’s Senior championship, Hoffman opened with an even-par 71, good enough for an eight-stroke lead. He “guided” his game in the final round to the tune of a 5-over-par 76, good enough for a victory. Hoffman also captured Coatesville’s Players Cup, a season-long match play tournament. He defeated David Kimbley, 2&1, in the 36-hole Final.
Hoffman and his son Derek, 26, retained their title in Coatesville’s better-ball gross tournament. He joined forces with friend Mark Rochon to win the club’s Member-Member for a second time (2019). Hoffman rotates teammates for that event. He paired with Derek in 2020, son Mitchell, 26, in 2021. Wins both years.
“My wife Kim plays a little bit, but not competitively,” Hoffman, who’s worked in customer support for health care systems for 30 years, said. “Golf has become a part of what we do as a family. It’s kind of the glue to our family, in some respects. It keeps us all connected.”
GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The organization’s 340 Member Clubs and 100,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.
