Erik Hott had a memorable first season with the Modesto Junior College men’s golf team this spring.
The 2022 Ceres High School grad surprised himself by qualifying for the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) 3C2A State Championships.
“I really didn’t set an individual goal,” he said. “I just wanted to play well during the season. I peaked at the right time.”
Hott gained valuable experience at the state tournament, which was staged May 14-15 at Dragonfly Golf Club in Madera.
He placed 59th overall.
Hott finished with a two-day score of 161.
He shot a 4-over-par 77 on May 14.
He carded an 84 on May 15.
“I’ll be fully honest,” Hott said. “I didn’t play well both days. It was a guessing game with every club. I missed a lot of five-feet-and-in putts. It was unlucky how I was lipping out. I didn’t play to my full potential. That’s how golf is sometimes.”
“Other than play, I had a good time,” he added. “It was a lot of fun. It was competitive. You don’t get to play at state every year.”
Hott punched his ticket to state after taking 13th at the CCCAA Northern California Regional Championship, held May 8-9, at Castle Oaks Golf Course in Ione.
“I wanted to do well for my team but I also wanted to beat the other guys,” Hott said.
Hott had a two-day score of 155 (81-74) at NorCals.
“I did shock myself,” he said. “It was a surprise especially after the first day of NorCals. I didn’t play to my full potential. I was more stressed. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I wanted to make state. I went into the second day with no expectations. I just wanted to play well. I had more fun.”
Hott managed to qualify for the CCCAA State Championships despite experiencing growing pains throughout the season.
“I started to get more comfortable throughout the season,” he said. “I got into a routine. I found my way. I had a little mental reset. Dana Ebster (Modesto JC assistant coach) helped fix my swing.”
Hott was the lone player from Modesto JC to advance to state.
“Everybody has been telling me it’s an amazing accomplishment (to make state as a freshman). I think it’s pretty awesome. I worked hard for it. I was on the golf course at least once a day.”Erik Hott
“Everybody has been telling me it’s an amazing accomplishment (to make state as a freshman),” he said. “I think it’s pretty awesome. I worked hard for it. I was on the golf course at least once a day.”
Hott will have high hopes for the 2024 season.
“I know what to expect now,” he said. “My biggest individual goal is to have a scoring average in the 70s. My average this year was 83 or 84.”
“One of our goals as a team is to go to state,” Hott added. “We’re going to have a really good team.”
Hott starred on Ceres High’s boys golf team for two seasons.
The Central Valley Christian Academy transfer elevated his level of play during his final year with the Bulldogs.
Hott missed qualifying for NorCals by five strokes as he fired 5-over-par 76 while competing at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Tournament for the first time.
He secured an individual berth to Masters after claiming the Division-IV title with a 1-under-par 71.
He shot a 12-over-par 84 at the Western Athletic Conference Championships.
He garnered first-team all-league recognition for the second year in a row.
Hott cemented his legacy as one of Ceres High’s greatest male golfers.
“College golf is different from high-school golf,” he said. “Everyone has played most of their lives. There’s more pressure. I love it. It’s fun.”