Was an accomplished high school baseball player in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Quit the sport after his sophomore year to completely focus on golf with the intent of earning a college scholarship to the University of Arizona.

Father was an educator, serving as assistant principal and athletic director at Buena High School in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Father, Greg, a native of Lethbridge, Alberta, played for Canada in the 1977 Little League World Series. He later represented Canada on the country's baseball team at the 1987 Intercontinental Cup and Pan American Games. He also competed in the 1988 Baseball World Cup and was a member of the Canadian Olympic team in 1988, posting the best batting average of any Olympian that year. He went 7 for 13, scoring three runs and posting 3 RBIs.