Shortly after being born his parents moved to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina where he spent his younger years playing at Harbour Town Golf Links and where he attended Hilton Head Island High School.
These include skiers Micah Black, Sarah Burke, Brian Bennett, Ian McIntosh, and Jamie Pierre; professional snowboarders Ross Powers, Seth Wescott, Andy Finch, and Molly Aguirre; and professional golfers D. J. Trahan, Rory Sabbatini, Kirk Hanefeld, and Phyllis Meti.