Carson Higginbotham In Midst of Busy But Successful Summer
By Michael Minnich on July 17, 2026
Clarksburg’s Carson Higginbotham made a big change before the WVU Medicine United Hospital Center Junior Championship.
“I switched to a new putter this week, so I really rolled it nicely,” Higginbotham said. “I usually don’t make a change like that, but I was putting really badly, so I had to make a switch and it paid off.”
It did: Higginbotham finished in a tie for fourth with rounds of 67, 70 and 72.
“I really just made a bunch of putts. On 6, I hit a nice little 56 degree to about six feet and made birdie. On 7, I had a little pitch shot from short of the green, chipped it up and made birdie. On 9, left it just short of the green in two, chipped it up and made birdie.
“On 10, hit the green and two-putted and made birdie. Then on 11, I made about a 35-footer for birdie. That was pretty cool.”
Higginbotham also played in this tournament last year.
“It really did help, especially with all the people out here watching as it’s in my hometown,” Higginbotham said. “It really helped me adapt.”
This event is just the latest of a busy summer for Higginbotham, who is entering his senior year of schooling through Enlightium Academy, an NCAA-accredited online school based in Washington State.
“I played in the West Virginia State Amateur in May and did well, finished in the mid-20s. It was a really good experience.
“Then I went to the Junior Amateur two weeks ago, was in the final group, was tied for the lead with eight holes to go and made a few mistakes I shouldn’t have on the back nine, but that was also a really good experience.
“It really is a big difference. Usually when you’re in the final group, all the local fans are out there watching you, so there’s a lot more people and it’s really fun.”
After this tournament, the busy summer continues.
“I have the West Virginia Open here in two weeks. I’m going to Baltimore and New Jersey for other events,” Higginbotham said. “I’m playing in the West Virgina Parent-Child with my dad this coming weekend. It’s always fun to play with my dad, especially in a competitive setting.”
The busy schedule is a feature, not a bug.
“If I take two or three days off, my swing will get a little loose and then I’ll have to really go to the range and dial it in before the next tournament,” Higginbotham said.
Higginbotham has not committed to play in college.
“I’m still going to wait and hopefully I play a little bit better,” Higginbotham said. “We’ll see how it goes.”
This weekend, profiles of the local golfers in the WVU Medicine United Hospital Center Junior Championship continue.
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