Friday afternoon in Pinehurst, North Carolina two young Mississippians, -17-year old Cohen Trolio from West Point and 21 year-old Andy Ogletree (near Meridian), will play among the final eight golfers. In the first quarterfinal match, Austin Squires from Kentuckia, a recent graduate at Cincinnati, will play Trolio. Ogletree, a senior student at Georgia Tech, will face Spencer Ralston, Gainesville, Georgia in the second match at 1:15. If Ogletree and Trolio win today, they will play in Saturday’s semifinals. This is where some perspective is needed: 7,191 golfers tried to qualify for U.S. Amateur. From those, 256 made Pinehurst, 64 qualified to play match play, and now it is down to eight. Two of them are Mississippians. Trolio, a high-school senior who committed to playing college golf at LSU was able to ride a wave of birdies through the quarterfinals. Trolio birded six holes at Pinehurst No. 2, en route to a victory of 5 and 4 over Alex Fitzpatrick, an English player who is more experienced. Ogletree, who was a junior golfer at Northwood CC, Meridian, beat Blake Hathcoat (5 and 4), to reach the quarters. “Man, this is amazing for Mississippi golf,” said Jim Gallagher Jr. of Greenwood, who is now a Golf Channel commentator. “It’s amazing how junior golf in Mississippi has changed since I moved here 30+ years ago. We have better courses, better instruction, and Pinehurst is proof of that.” Trolio, the son of V.J., a highly-respected Old Waverly instructor, said. Trolio is the oldest player left. His father plays caddy for him. Gallagher played with Cohen Trolio for 11 years and has watched him develop over the years. Gallagher stated that Trolio’s ball-striking skills are “just phenomenal.” “If he putsts well, there’s not a limit to how far he can get in this game because very few players can hit it as well as he does.” This was Trolio’s first attempt at playing televised (FS1 Network), golf. Trolio stated that he did a great job sticking to his expectations and not letting the “This is a huge USGA event” part of my mind take over. His dad helps. Cohen Trolio described his father as “he helps me a lot.” He’s my man. He has my back. You can’t separate between being a dad, a caddie, and a swing coach, but Ogletree is a well-known hitter who was All-Atlantic Coast Conference winner at Georgia Tech in spring 2017. Jimmy Gamblin, a long-time pro at Northwood Country Club, was Ogletree’s teacher starting at age 6. Gamblin stated that Andy’s greatest asset is his determination to succeed. Gamblin said that even as a child, he always practiced with a goal. He was determined to be the best. He believes he can win, and I can guarantee that.” Ogletree stated, “My game has improved since I went to Tech.” Although I was able to hit the ball pretty well, I wasn’t a great player all around. I had some amazing rounds. My short game has improved and I have a lower scoring average. Trolio, who turned 17 last week, played a round at Mossy Oak in West Point with Gallagher. Gallagher, a six-time PGA Tour winner and Ryder Cup champion, stated that he had never seen Trolio, or any other kid, hit a golf club like he did. I told him that he would have to play two shots per side from now on.