Pint sized golfer takes on world
Local 7-year-old to take on the world at World Championships of Junior Golf at Pinehurst.
WITH a natural golf swing and a putting technique rivalling pro-golfers to boot, an uMhlanga golfer is taking a swing at the world’s cream of the junior crop. Lia Naidoo (7), a Grade 2 pupil at Victory Christian Academy will be competing at this year’s World Championships of Junior Golf at Pinehurst in North Carolina, with the knowledge that she is one of the youngest competitors from South Africa and the world attending the event. But this has not daunted the little golfer.
“I’m excited to play on a new course and I want to make South Africa proud,” she said enthusiastically.
In order to qualify for the world champs, Lia needed to win one of the South African qualifiers at the Bronkhorstspruit Golf Course, in Gauteng. Not only did she win with her impressive stroke play but was also presented with her South African colours.
“I didn’t expect it. But I remember telling my dad, I wanted that green jacket. I think people sometimes underestimate me because of my size.” The jacket, which eventually was presented to the little tyke, had to be altered, because there weren’t any in her size.
Her father, Fred Naidoo, said his daughter never took much of an interest in the sport and preferred sitting in the car on the iPad while he played.
“I eventually got her to play and I told her if you get the ball into the hole, I’ll give you money. She began to beat me on the golf course and I’m now running out of money,” he jokingly said. “Her coach, Nick van Schalkwyk, who is also her caddy, often argue over which golf club she needs, but she seems to know which one to go with. She has taken to the sport so naturally. I’m incredibly proud of her achievements and we are one hundred per cent behind her.”
Lia’s favourite golf course is the Durban Country Club which she says offers her a technical challenge.
“The 18th hole is my favourite but it is a real doozy. If you scuff your shot you can end up going into the driving range which is close by. My goal is to one day become a professional golfer and I can’t wait to tee-off at Pinehurst,” she said.
