They may be just 11 and 13 years old, but young golfers Joel Tyson and Matthew Johnson look like they are made of the right stuff.
Members of the junior golf program run by Absolute Golf out of Lakeside Golf Club Camden, Joel and Matthew have each recently claimed a big trophy.
Joel, who lives in Narellan Vale, was a member of the team that won the NSW Open Junior Pro Am at Twin Creeks Golf Club.
Matthew on the other hand was named boys player of the year in the 2017 Jack Newton Junior Golf on the Move Tour.
The Pro AM is played under the auspices of the PGA of Australia and had more than 70 junior golfers from across NSW participate in the Texas Stableford competition.
Joel, who is coached by Jeff Mansfield and David Reckless, was nominated to play with teams consisting of three amateurs and one professional.
His team included Rory Bourke, an Australian PGA player from Victoria for the day, along with two other juniors (Tim and Ty).
Joel’s team finished first, to win the event with a Stableford score of 101 points.
Joel’s contribution was 43 points on a course that was set up tough in preparation for the first round of the NSW Open.
But Joel did more than help his team win – he also made his way on stage to present the winner’s speech in front of more than 100 attendees.
Joel spoke confidently and thanked Golf NSW, Twin Creeks, Lakeside Golf Club Camden and his fellow team members for the day.
His fellow Lakeside junior Matthew Johnson was presented with his Jack Newton Junior Golf on the Move Tour award by the legend himself, Jack Newton.
Matthew was one of four Lakeside boys who participated in the modified 9 hole Juniors on the Move Tour events around Sydney, at holiday clinics and local competitions, including the two day Macarthur Masters event held in Camden.
The Jack Newton Junior Golf (JNJG) Foundation was established in 1986 to introduce girls and boys under 18 years of age to the game of golf and nurture the skills in and enjoyment of the sport.
Activities within the foundation include a variety of junior golf tournaments, camps and clinics for all levels of players with an emphasis on school programs.
Matthew, who has been playing golf since he was six years old, compiled two wins and two runner-up placings on the way to winning the boys player of the year honour.
He was invited to play in the 2017 JNJG sponsors, supporters and presentation golf day at Pymble Golf Club, where he received his award by Jack Newton himself.
Both he and Joel Tyson are showing the benefits of being part of the Lakeside setup.
The program ensures juniors understand the fundamentals of golf, alongside learning about the rules and etiquette of the game.
The programs provide kids with the ability to play, practice, learn and most importantly, have fun with fellow juniors in a relaxed and comfortable environment.
Instructors ensure all practical areas of golf are covered in an interactive landscape, develop each child’s skill levels in an effort to progress to subsequent courses and encourage each participant to stay active and make new friends.
A range of classes become available throughout the year including beginners, intermediate, advanced and cadet levels.
Visit www.camdenlakeside.com.au for further information.
