Trolio instead chose to go with his father/caddy V.J., a renowned golf instructor. Trolio and his father/caddy, V.J., made the 2,550-mile cross-continent journey back to Mississippi in a car rental. Cohen Trolio, who made it to the semifinals at the U.S. Last year, Cohen Trolio, an amateur at 17 years old, tested positive for COVID-19. He had to withdraw from the U.S. tournament. Friday night brought the bad news. He turned 18 on Saturday. Happy Birthday, Cohen. Cohen Trolio, his father and Cohen Trolio were on the phone talking as they approached Wichita. They were approximately two-thirds of their way back. “It’s all right, nothing the USGA or me could do about it – just following the rules.” The United States Golf Association (USGA), required that all participants, including caddies, pass two tests before departing their homes to make the trip. One was prior to leaving and the second after arriving at Bandon dunes. Both Trolios tested negative for COVID in West Point last week. Cohen Trolio was positive at Bandon Dunes while his father was negative. Cohen Trolio stated that he is fine and has not shown any symptoms. He is already eligible for the U.S. next year. He is now an amateur at Oakmont Country Club, Pennsylvania, because of his semifinal berth in this year’s championship. He said, “That’s nice.” He said, “Makes me feel better.” His father was more philosophical. V.J. said, “This is just one thing that happens when you’re trying to play championship golf during a pandemic.” Trolio deadpanned. “We’re disappointed, obviously,” V.J. Trolio said. Trolio said, “We were told only two of the 250 entrants tested positive. Cohen was one of those lucky two. That’s life. The USGA did an excellent job. The USGA has done a great job. We have no complaints. This is the world we live right now. This stuff is real.” According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, the Trolios had two options. They could either quarantine for almost two weeks in Oregon, or find private transportation home. V.J. said, “No restaurants or any other similar.” Trolio said that the rest of his family was quarantining at West Point. This one is in the category: What a difference an year makes. In the semifinals of the National Championship at Pinehurst, N.C., Trolio, a young golfer, defeated several more experienced players. In the semifinals, Trolio met Andy Ogletree from Mississippi, who plays college golf for Georgia Tech. Ogletree defeated Trolio and then went on to win the championship against John Augenstine from Kentuckia. No Mississippian had ever reached the quarterfinals in the national amateur championship before last year. Jim Gallagher, a former PGA Tour player and Golf Channel broadcaster from Mississippi, said that it was “many times amazing” for Mississippi golf. “… It is amazing to see how junior golf has evolved in Mississippi. “We’ve got better courses, better instruction, and what you see at Pinehurst is all you need to know.” Cohen Trolio has been Cohen Trolio’s dad since he was a little boy. Cohen Trolio declared last year, after reaching the quarterfinals, that “He’s mine,” Cohen Trolio, who shot rounds of 71-67, 70, 70, and 69 in Johnstown (Pa.) in July’s Sunnehanna Amateur, was 25th. He stated that he was enjoying his best summer golf leading up to the event at Bandon Dunes. He said, “I was driving the ball very well and playing my best golf all year.” “I had worked hard. I believed I was ready. It’s golf, so you never know. But I felt great about it. “I was as prepared as I could be.”