CRANBERRY TWP — Some of the first baby pictures of Hogan Cuny have the infant holding a golf club in his tiny hands.

“My grandfather (Paul) made me a putter when I was born,” Cuny says, laughing. “I was literally born with a golf club in my hand.”

Golf is a huge part of Cuny's life. It's a huge part of the family's life as well, and that's reflected in the names of the three Cuny boys: Hogan, 16, Nicklaus, 14, and Palmer, 10.

Hogan Cuny is named after Ben Hogan; Nicklaus Cuny after Jack Nicklaus and Palmer Cuny after Arnold Palmer.

“My dad (Jeffrey) is into golf a little bit,” Hogan Cuny says, chuckling.

Hogan Cuny also is into golf and he concluded his summer Wednesday with a huge honor.

Cuny fired a 75 in tournament action at the Mystic Rock Course at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort to finish tied for fourth.

His finish was still good enough to win the 2011 Tri-State PGA Junior Player of the Year in the 15-16 age group.

Cuny played in nine of the 15 tournaments on the tour this summer and won two of them. He entered the final tournament Wednesday with a comfortable points lead.

Only the top-10 leaders in points were invited to the final tournament.

“I just wanted to play well today, play my normal game,” Cuny said. “I just wanted to have fun.”

Cuny, who will be a junior at Pittsburgh Central Catholic in the fall, didn't have such a great summer last year.

“I wasn't even invited to the final tournament,” Cuny said. “It wasn't a good year for me.”

Last fall at Central Catholic, Cuny shot an 81 in the WPIAL Boys Team Golf Championships and missed the state playoffs.

But this summer, things started to click for Cuny.

He won a tour stop at Seven Oaks Country Club in June and shot a 3-under 68 at Oak Tree Country Club in July to capture that tournament title, as well.

Cuny said the major difference between this summer and last has been his mental approach.

“I just have the right mindset,” Cuny said. “I'm just more mature. I handle things and situations better.”

He's had plenty of practice.

His father is the general manager at Highland Country Club in Pittsburgh.

On most days, Cuny goes to work with his father and spends nearly eight hours practicing his game.

“Practicing is my favorite part of golf,” Cuny said. “I know, it sounds weird. I like going to the range and pound balls all day. I take breaks, but, yeah, most of the time I am practicing. I'm pretty lucky to have my dad and a chance to do that.”

His grandfather, though, makes sure Cuny practices his short game, too.

That putter he placed into his grandson's hands at birth was by no accident.

“He drilled it into my head about putting,” Cuny said.

The best part of his game, Cuny says, is his work around the green.

He admitted he still needs work off the tee.

But that's what hours and hours of practice are for.

“I always like to be perfect,” Cuny said. “But I know you can't be in this game. You can try, though.”

Cuny gets plenty of competition in his own home.

Nicklaus gives Hogan all he can handle on the golf course.

“I definitely think he's further along than I was (when I was 14),” Hogan said. “He shot a 1-under to beat me. We help each other out. He practices with me, too. He can look at my swing one time and tell me what I'm doing wrong.”

Palmer, a lefty — perhaps Mickelson would have been a more appropriate name — isn't as committed to the game as his elder brothers.

“But I wasn't either when I was 10,” Hogan said. “I think he will be into it, too.”

For now, Hogan is relishing his Tri-State tour championship.

“It's the greatest accomplishment so far,” he said. “It's very exciting.”