Harold Varner III on his North Carolina roots and promising future.

Harold Varner III is enjoying his third full season on the PGA Tour, and he’s one of the few PGA Tour players who looks like he’s actually having fun on the golf course. During his time at East Carolina University, he was the first Pirate to be named Conference USA Player of the Year — and his progress has been steady since. I caught up with Harold in Palm Springs, CA, shortly before the Career Builder Challenge. We did not delight in the fact that we were there on a 75-degree day, while North Carolina was under a blanket of snow. (At least, we tried not to.) Perhaps as much as any in the golf world, Harold appreciates his good fortune, because it came as a result of hard work.

Maginnes: When did you know that you could compete with the best players in the game?

Varner: I had an idea in college because I had a great junior year and started beating most of the best players. Obviously you have to be on top of your game, but I never really doubted myself.

Maginnes: When you were a kid, the Wells Fargo Championship came to Charlotte, and there was the Wyndham as well. Did you attend?

Varner: Definitely. I remember it vividly. We went to the old Wachovia [now Wells Fargo] in all kinds of weather. Especially when Tiger was playing every year, obviously being my favorite player. I love playing in them. Last year being in contention in Greensboro brought out a lot of ECU fans, and my sister lives in Greensboro, so that was a really cool week.

Maginnes: You didn’t play in the Tiger Woods era, but maybe that era isn’t quite over. What are you expecting from Tiger in his latest comeback?

Varner: I don’t want to put too many expectations out there for him. I just want him to play a full season healthy. It’s crazy how important that is now. I personally can’t imagine not being able to play golf even if it wasn’t out here on the PGA Tour. So just to be able to play and have his body hold up would be great.

Maginnes: You have the jump man hat on and the MJ shoes. How did you meet Michael Jordan?

Varner: I was asked to play in the HoopTee, which is the charity event run by the Hornets. Fred Whitfield is someone that I got to know and he put in a good word for me, and it’s just a great opportunity to work with the brand. Being from North Carolina and being associated with one of the greatest names in sports is pretty cool. And the shoes and clothes are awesome.

Maginnes: Twenty years from now, when your career is winding down, what do you want your legacy to be?

Varner: I want to have made the world a better place. There is too much money and opportunity out here not to affect change. I have this tremendous stage to have my voice heard, so I don’t know why I wouldn’t use it.

Maginnes: Some of that change you can affect is at home in North Carolina. Will that always be home?

Varner: Always. My parents are there, and I just moved back to Charlotte. I will always call it home.