Michael Michael K. Manders, Jr., aka “Kelly,” graduated from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina in May 2010, where he enjoyed much success playing on the Winthrop Eagles Varsity Golf team. Kelly’s earliest success, however, came as a 7 year-old in 1994 with a win in the Congressional Country Club 3-Hole Junior Club Championship. Years later Kelly capped off his golfing legacy at Congressional by becoming the youngest Men’s Club Champion in the 90-year history of Congressional at the age of 18 in 2005. After many accolades and awards as an amateur over the years, however, Kelly declared his professional status in 2009 and joined the NGA Hooters Tour full time for the 2010 season.

Kelly made his first professional golf appearances last year in three Carolina summer mini tour events. He made the cut in all three events and finished in the money as 15th (68-74-74), T-8 (76-67-69) and T-17 (70-69-76), earning $2,500 in prize money. In preparation for joining the NGA Hooters Tour full time, Kelly participated in one of the three Ranking Schools in January 2010 finishing 13th overall. His high ranking position will assure that Kelly claims one of the 168 spots in each weekly NGA Hooters Tour event.

Kelly’s golfing resume includes several achievements and awards that stand out among the many others that he has received over the years. These include:

• 1st Mizuno Southbridge Intercollegiate (69-68-65) (2008)

• Golfweek National Player of the Week (2008)

• Choice Hotels Big South Co-Player of the Week (2008)

• T-2 Rice Intercollegiate (77-73-68) (2007)

• T-2 Argonaut Invitational Hosted by West Florida (68-74-69) (2007)

• 5th U.S. Amateur Qualifying (71-69) (2006)

Kelly’s other early successes at Congressional included as Junior Club Champion in 2002, 2003 and 2004. He continued his golfing prowess as a member of the DeMatha High School Stags Golf Team from 2001 -2005, including winning the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Team Championship in 2004.