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Warkworth School student Dylan Lewis is swinging his way towards a career in golf, after winning the US Kids Golf Tour Autumn Series last month.
The nine-year-old, who is a member of the Omaha Beach Golf Club, hit his best ever competition score of 76 at Omaha to wrap up the title on May 27.
The series is one of the largest junior’ competitions in New Zealand and includes seven rounds played across Auckland, of which Dylan won four, plus a championship round that he also claimed.
“The title was between me and one other player with just the championship round remaining. It’s worth double points, so everything was on the line that day,” Dylan says.
Dylan was tied with his opponent after the 12th hole in the final round but pulled away, and going into the last hole had a four-shot lead.
“I never look at the score during a match because it can add pressure. I’m just focusing on every individual shot as I play it.
“I think my best ones were when I put the ball two metres away from the pin to then birdie on the 15th and a seven-metre putt I made on the sixth hole.”
Winning the autumn series allows Dylan to attend the US Kids Golf Tour World Championship in Georgia in July, however he will look to compete next year instead.
“I’m not hitting good enough scores to realistically win on the world stage so it’s not worth attending this year, but gaining entry is a huge positive and I hope to be ready next year.
“In future, I would like to become a professional golfer and I’m looking forward to the winter series now.”
Dylan picked up a club at just two years old, inspired by his father who represented Bay of Plenty.
He trains three times a week at Omaha with certified PGA coach Neil Ludlam and also works with Cameron Jones in North Harbour.
“Neil is great as a coach because of the patience he brings to sessions and Cameron works on my psychological game. With my recent results, I am keen to stick with the training routine I have in place.”
