It’s going to be a family affair next week when Ken McCabe and his grandson Jordan Cachia light up the course in the Golf NSW Foursomes Championship at Campbelltown Golf Club.
Ken, 63, of Glen Alpine, is one very proud grandfather. He’s tickled pink at the thought of playing alongside his 16-year-old grandson Jordan in one of the State’s most prestigious events on their home course.
“I’m going to get an absolute kick out of playing with him,” Mr McCabe said.
“We played the club foursomes together earlier this year and finished in the middle of the field, and I was pretty happy with that.”
The pair is getting in a fair bit of practice before the event with a regular round on Tuesdays and a game in the club competition on Saturday.
“We play and practice together,” McCabe said.
“He’s become a regular in my group with my mates.”
Ken got Jordan interested in the sport about three years ago after he brought the 12-year-old down to a junior clinic at the club.
“Jordan went to a few coaching clinics with the boys in the pro shop and played in the nine-hole comp on Saturday mornings,’’ McCabe said.
“He became a member as soon as he was old enough, and we’ve been playing together ever since,” he said.
Ken’s mates think it’s neat to play with the 16-year old and he’s fitted in well around the club.
“When he first joined he was a typical, shy kid who kept his head down and wouldn’t say too much.
“Now, he walks in and everyone knows him. He chats with the other members, says hello to them and they talk golf,” McCabe said.
Jordan, who is in year 10 at Thomas Reddall High School, is hopeful the game will provide him with an opportunity to get to study at a college in the United States.
“I’m going to complete my HSC,’’ he said.
“I’ve been selected in the NCR Program (a US College recruiting program), so hopefully I’ll go to college in the US to do Small Business Management and get to play golf while I’m over there,” Jordan said.
As for the upcoming foursomes date, the 16-year-old is excited
“I like the format. I prefer not to hit every shot; it’s a good partners game. Hopefully, we’ll show a few people up,’’ he said.
“I’ll be putting Pop in the middle of every fairway, for sure. He better get used to hitting two clubs less into every green.’’
Pop summed up what the opportunity to play together meant for both of them.
“He’s my grandson, and I look after him and guide him – I think playing with him in this event is going to be really, really special.’’
The 2016 NSW Foursomes Championships will be played at Campbelltown Golf Club, Glen Alpine, over the weekend of November 5 and 6.
