MOST weekend golfers would be chuffed to play off a handicap of six but Leo Soldo, 12, of Oatley, has set his sights on going even lower — and quickly.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
The Bonnie Doon member came second at the Australian Junior Age Championships held in Queensland in April. The year 7 student shot rounds of 75, 76 and 73 to finish eight-over for the tournament at Capricorn Golf Club in Yeppoon — a shot behind the eventual winner.
Leo has qualified for the Veritas World Junior Golf Championships at the Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena, California, next month. He will be part of the first age-division Australian golf team to play at the championships.
Leo, who has only been playing golf for four years, said he got started through a familiar route.
‘‘To start with my dad took me to the range a couple of times and it was fun,’’ he said. ‘‘I was playing soccer and golf. Then my dad took me to some group lessons. I did pretty good and thought this is fun.’’
Kurt Stegbauer, the head professional and director of coaching at The Ridge Golf Club, has coached Leo for the past two years.
Stegbauer has coached young golfers for almost 20 years and said Leo had unlimited potential.
‘‘He could be as good as he wants to be,’’ Stegbauer said. ‘‘He’s one of the best I’ve seen for his age in my years of coaching.
‘‘I’ve seen a lot of young golfers and to be playing off 6 at 12 [years old] at a course like Bonnie Doon is amazing. He’s got maturity beyond his years. He’s 12 but he acts like an 18-year-old.’’
Leo will be up against players from the US, South Africa, Mexico and Taiwan in the Boys 12 division, but said he would not be fazed by the occasion.
‘‘I know what score I’m going to have to shoot to win. I’ll have to be under par,’’ he said. ‘‘I think I can do it. I’ve studied the course and the yardages.’’
The tournament starts on July 18.
