His golf journey began by hitting Wiffle balls with his father's clubs in the backyard of his childhood home. He began playing seriously after graduating from college, and progressed from not being able to break 100 to eventually trying to qualify for the U.S. Amateur. He has played in one professional tournament with a crash-and-burn result.

Thoreson holds a BA in journalism from the University of Maryland and lives in Frederick, Maryland. He has traveled to play the world's great courses but finds particular pleasure in discovering lesser-known gems in far-away lands. He still plays to a 4 handicap.