Hey Team Titleist!
We’re pretty sure no one has ever started a new year on the PGA TOUR like Michael Castillo has to begin 2023.
Last week, the longtime Titleist Staff Member and head PGA Professional at Kapalua hosted 39 of TOUR’s best players at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.
This week, at the Sony Open, the 60-year-old will be teeing it up in first PGA TOUR event. He earned his exemption by winning the 2022 Aloha Section PGA Championship, where he got up-and-down from the sand for birdie on the final hole to win by one shot.
Michael comes from a family with deep golf roots in Hawaii. Michael and his three brothers all followed in the footsteps of their father, Ron, and became club professionals. (Ron and two of Michael’s brothers have also played in the Sony.) His sister, Lori, won two USGA titles.
“I thought that opportunity had passed many years ago,” Michael told the Associated Press’ golf writer Doug Ferguson. “I only played in the section championship because it was at Poipu (where Castillo worked as the head pro for 12 years). The guys said, ‘You’ve got to play.’ I played well, putted good, it was 25 mph wind and I birdied 18 to win.”
On Monday of this week’s Sony Open, Michael arrived at Waialae Country Club with interview requests from both Ferguson and the Golf Channel. Michael’s story is extraordinary, one of perseverance and strength, both on and off the golf course.
Nearly five years ago, Michael was diagnosed with colon cancer, which then moved to his liver and then his lung. Prior to the Aloha PGA, he learned the cancer had returned to his liver and he would need to undergo additional radiation treatments.
Not long after winning the Aloha Section championship, Castillo began the treatments on Oahu.
“In November, I spent five treatments here on Oahu. My brother picked me up at the airport, we go do my treatment, and then we drive over to Waialae and played a practice round there nearly every time I came over. And that was fun,” he told Team Titleist.
“This four-year journey of having cancer part of my life has been different. It doesn't control my life. I do what I want to do, and yet it is part of my life. Playing well last year, being able to play here, it just shows you that nothing’s going to change you unless you want it to. So to be able to play good golf and be able to be here at age 60, all of that, it’s just pretty unique. I’m blessed and I’m thankful, and I know it’s unusual to see someone, a 30-year-old PGA America member... Basically I fold shirts in the golf shop, run the operation. I don't peg it in the ground as often as the best in the world, but I really enjoy it. It’s what I do. Nerd out all week with the Sony. Couldn't be happier.”
You can watch the Golf Channel’s interview with Michael here https://vimeo.com/788087803
and read the AP story here https://www.golfchannel.com/news/hawaii-club-pro-michael-castillo-battling-cancer-makes-sony-open-debut-60
If you needed one more player to pull for this week in Hawaii, Michael is definitely my pick.