May River caddie qualifies for PGA Tour's Travelers Championship

Eventually, Martin Catalioto would like to play on the PGA Tour full-time, but for now, he'll settle for a one-week audition.

The part-time Hilton Head Island resident will make his PGA Tour debut this week after qualifying for the Travelers Championship, which begins today at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn.

"Quite honestly, I have no expectations," said Catalioto, who played his way into the tournament by carding a 6-under-par 66 in a Monday qualifier at Bull's Bridge Golf Club in South Kent, Conn. "I want to enjoy it, but I would like to play well. ... I've never played on this big a stage, but this is my ultimate goal. I want to play on the PGA Tour and this will be a good stepping stone."

Catalioto, 26, is a New Jersey native, but Hilton Head Island is his home base for the summer while he is working as a caddie at Bluffton's May River Golf Club and playing on the Charlotte-based Tarheel Tour.

The former Clemson golfer decided to take a shot at qualifying for the Travelers Championship because of its proximity to his New Jersey home and the fact it coincided with a two-week break in his tournament schedule.

He made the most of the opportunity in Monday's qualifier, making birdies on the first three holes and hitting an ace on the 162-yard fourth hole, then cruising to a 6-under 66 to finish first and claim one of four spots in the PGA Tour event.

Catalioto has played six Tarheel Tour events this season, making three cuts and earning $2,570. If he can make the cut after Friday's second round, earning a five-figure paycheck, he joked that he might be able to give up his caddie gig for a couple of years.

"I'm not just showing up," Catalioto said. "I really feel if I focus on my game, I think I should be able to make the cut. That's definitely a realistic goal."