Eric Cole is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour, best known for winning the 2022-23 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award after a long, difficult road to the top level of the sport. He is married to his wife, Stephanie Cole (née Williams), whom he wed in December 2023.
Who is Eric Cole?
Eric Cole is a professional golfer on the PGA Tour and the son of two professional golfers, Bobby Cole and Laura Baugh. He turned pro in 2009 but spent over a decade working his way up through mini-tours and the Korn Ferry Tour before finally earning his PGA Tour card in 2022.
His rookie season became a breakout story, highlighted by seven top-10 finishes and a runner-up finish at the Cognizant Classic, which helped him earn PGA Tour Rookie of the Year honors.
Eric Cole’s Bio
| Full Name | Eric James Cole |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Eric Cole |
| Profession | Professional Golfer |
| Date of Birth | June 12, 1988 |
| Age | 38 (as of August 2026) |
| Birthplace | Palm Springs, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Known For | 2022-23 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year |
Cole grew up surrounded by golf, as both of his parents were professional players, and he later attended Nova Southeastern University before turning pro.
Eric Cole’s Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg) |
| Eye Color | Not publicly known |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Body Type | Athletic |
Eric Cole’s height and weight are publicly listed as part of his official PGA Tour profile, unlike many other public figures who don’t share these details.
Background and Early Life
Eric Cole was born on June 12, 1988, in Palm Springs, California, one of seven siblings in a family built around golf. His mother, Laura Baugh, won the 1971 U.S. Women’s Amateur and was the 1973 LPGA Rookie of the Year, while his father, Bobby Cole, won on the PGA Tour and had multiple top-10 finishes in major championships.
Cole grew up traveling to LPGA events with his mother and siblings, and he started playing seriously at age 11. He never worked with any coach other than his parents. While at Nova Southeastern University, he was diagnosed with two autoimmune conditions, type 1 diabetes and Addison’s disease, which he has managed throughout his career using an insulin pump and blood glucose monitor.
Is He Married? Who is Eric Cole Wife?
Yes, Eric Cole is married. His wife’s name is Stephanie Cole, formerly Stephanie Williams. The couple dated for about seven and a half years before Cole proposed at Pebble Beach Golf Links in February 2023, during his debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
They married in December 2023. The couple lives together in Delray Beach, Florida, and Stephanie is often seen supporting Eric from the sidelines at PGA Tour events.
Is There Any Past Affair of Eric Cole’s?
There are no credible, confirmed reports of Eric Cole having relationships outside of his long-term relationship and marriage to Stephanie. The two have been together since around 2016 and have kept their relationship largely low-key and steady throughout his rise on the PGA Tour.
Family Background
Eric Cole comes from a golfing family. His father, Bobby Cole, is a South African-born golfer who won the Buick Open on the PGA Tour and became the youngest-ever winner of the British Amateur at 18. His mother, Laura Baugh, is a former LPGA Tour player who won the U.S. Women’s Amateur at just 16 years old.
Cole is one of seven siblings, and his parents divorced and later remarried each other. He and Stephanie do not have any publicly known children as of 2026.
Eric Cole’s Net Worth 2026
| Year | Estimated Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Not publicly known |
| 2021 | Not publicly known |
| 2022 | Around $500,000 (estimated) |
| 2023 | Around $2 million (estimated) |
| 2024 | Around $3 million (estimated) |
| 2025 | Around $3 million to $4 million (estimated) |
| 2026 | Estimated between $3 million and $5 million |
Eric Cole has not shared an exact net worth publicly, but his career earnings from professional golf, including nearly $8 million from Minor League Golf, Korn Ferry Tour, and PGA Tour events combined, give a good sense of his financial success. His main income comes from tournament winnings, along with sponsorships tied to his profile as a PGA Tour player.
Career
Eric Cole turned professional in 2009 after his time at Nova Southeastern University, but his path to the PGA Tour was far from easy. He spent years dominating the Minor League Golf Tour, racking up more than 50 wins, while repeatedly failing to qualify for the PGA Tour through Q-School.
A stress fracture in his back forced him to pause his playing career at one point, during which he taught golf lessons to junior players. He finally earned his Korn Ferry Tour card in 2017, and after a strong 2022 season that included a tie for third at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, he earned his PGA Tour card. His rookie season on the PGA Tour was a breakout success, with seven top-10 finishes and $5.4 million in earnings, earning him the 2022-23 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award.
Lesser-Known Facts About Eric Cole
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Health | Manages type 1 diabetes and Addison’s disease, both diagnosed while he was in college |
| Family legacy | Both of his parents were professional golfers with major championship success |
| Golf connections | Became close friends as a teenager with Sam Saunders, grandson of Arnold Palmer |
| Long road up | Took over 10 years and six attempts at Q-School before earning his Korn Ferry Tour card |
| Teaching background | Worked as a golf instructor for junior players during an injury layoff |
Eric Cole’s underdog journey to the PGA Tour, shaped by years of grinding on mini-tours and managing a serious health condition, has made him one of the more inspiring stories on tour in recent years.
Eric Cole Social Media
Eric Cole is active on Instagram, where he shares updates from tournaments, his personal life, and moments with his wife, Stephanie. He also has a presence on X (formerly Twitter), mostly focused on golf-related content.
His official website, ericcolegolf.com, features more about his career, background, and personal journey in the sport.
FAQs
Is Eric Cole married?
Yes. He married his wife, Stephanie Cole, in December 2023.
Who is Eric Cole’s wife?
His wife is Stephanie Cole, formerly Stephanie Williams.
How old is Eric Cole?
He was born on June 12, 1988, making him 38 years old as of August 2026.
What is Eric Cole’s net worth?
Estimates suggest it’s somewhere between $3 million and $5 million, though no exact figure has been confirmed.
What is Eric Cole known for?
He is known for winning the 2022-23 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award after a long journey through mini-tours and the Korn Ferry Tour.