Did you know Eric Cole reached the PGA Tour in his mid-30s after more than a decade on developmental tours? The Florida-born golfer turned professional in 2009, earned PGA Tour Rookie of the Year honors in 2023 at age 35, and quickly became one of the tour’s most compelling late-blooming success stories.
Eric Cole Biography covers the American golfer’s age, hometown, family background, wife, child, parents, college career, and rise to the PGA Tour. Cole comes from a rare golf family: both of his parents were accomplished professional golfers, giving him an unusually deep connection to the game from childhood.
Eric Cole Biography: Quick Facts
| Full name | Eric H. Cole |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | June 6, 1988 |
| Age in 2026 | 37 until June 5, 2026; 38 from June 6, 2026 |
| Birthplace | Delray Beach, Florida, United States |
| Hometown / residence | South Florida; listed by the PGA Tour as residing in Tequesta, Florida |
| Nationality | American |
| College | Nova Southeastern University |
| Turned professional | 2009 |
| Wife | Stephanie Cole |
| Children | One son, Cameron |
| Father | Bobby Cole |
| Mother | Laura Baugh |
How Old Is Eric Cole?
Eric Cole was born on June 6, 1988, in Delray Beach, Florida. He is 37 for the first part of 2026 and turns 38 on June 6. His age is a major part of his story because he did not take the typical direct path from college golf to PGA Tour success.
While many elite players reach the PGA Tour in their early 20s, Cole spent years building his career through smaller professional circuits. His eventual breakthrough showed the value of persistence, experience, and strong performance across multiple tours.
Eric Cole Hometown and Early Life
Eric Cole is a native of Delray Beach, Florida, and his professional career remains closely tied to South Florida. He has been listed as a resident of Tequesta, Florida, a golf-rich area near Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens that is home to numerous PGA Tour players and leading practice facilities.
Growing up in a golf family gave Cole early exposure to tournament life, competitive preparation, and the realities of professional golf. Rather than relying solely on his family name, however, he developed his own résumé through college golf and years on developmental tours.
Eric Cole Parents: Bobby Cole and Laura Baugh
Eric Cole’s parents are among the most notable parts of his biography. His father, Bobby Cole, is a South African-born professional golfer who won the 1966 British Amateur Championship. His mother, Laura Baugh, is a former LPGA Tour player and the winner of the 1971 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. Baugh was also named LPGA Rookie of the Year in 1973.
With two accomplished golf professionals as parents, Eric Cole had an exceptional sporting foundation. Their accomplishments also make him one of the few modern PGA Tour players with both a father and mother who competed at high levels of professional or elite amateur golf.
Eric Cole Wife and Children
Eric Cole is married to Stephanie Cole. The couple has a son named Cameron. Cole generally keeps his family life private, but his wife and son have been included in publicly available PGA Tour biographical information.
Family support has been an important element of Cole’s lengthy journey through professional golf. By the time he earned full PGA Tour status, he had already spent more than a decade competing across different tours and pursuing his breakthrough opportunity.
College Golf and Professional Career
Cole played college golf at Nova Southeastern University in Florida before turning professional in 2009. His route to the PGA Tour included appearances on several developmental circuits, including PGA Tour Canada, PGA Tour Latinoamérica, and the Korn Ferry Tour.
His biggest PGA Tour breakthrough came at the 2023 Honda Classic, played in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Cole finished tied for second and lost in a playoff to Chris Kirk. The result secured his place in the national spotlight and demonstrated that he could contend against established PGA Tour players.
Later in 2023, Cole was voted PGA Tour Rookie of the Year by his fellow players. The award recognized a season highlighted by strong consistency, multiple top finishes, and a remarkable transition from golf’s developmental tours to the highest level of the sport.
Why Eric Cole’s Story Matters
The Eric Cole biography is more than a record of family connections and tournament results. It is a late-bloomer golf success story. From turning professional in 2009 to earning Rookie of the Year recognition in 2023, Cole spent roughly 14 years working toward a stable PGA Tour career.
For fans researching Eric Cole’s age, hometown, wife, children, or parents, the central takeaway is clear: he is a South Florida golfer with deep family roots in the game who built his PGA Tour career through patience, resilience, and sustained performance.
