FORE! CHARLIE’S ON THE COURSE
FROM not long after he could walk, Charlie Larsen has had a golf club in his hands.
Seemingly destined to be a golfer, Charlie received his first set of clubs for Christmas when he was two years old.
Now at the ripe age of 12, he will take his first step towards the big time next week when he represents Victoria in the School Sport Australia National Golf Championships.
“I’m very privileged to be playing for Victoria alongside some great young golfers,” Charlie said.
“I think I get my genes from my dad, he is a pretty good golfer, and he plays at the same club as me, at Thirteenth Beach.
“This is pretty big — it is the biggest tournament that I have played in — and it is not every day you get to play for Victoria, so I am very privileged.”
Kicking off on Monday with a mixed ambrose event at Portarlington, the School Sport Australia National Golf Championships will be played over four days at various courses along the Bellarine Peninsula, including Curlewis and Queenscliff.
Charlie, who is still in primary school, plays off a handicap of 10, and said while he had mixed emotions before playing on the big stage, he knew he wanted to play golf for a living.
“Hopefully I can continue with my golf and try to earn some money,” he said.
“There is some excitement but for me it always comes down to my routine. For me, my routine always calms me down when I am on the first tee.
“It is a mix of nerves and excitement but mainly it is going to be a lot of fun.
“My putting is pretty solid from inside four to five feet, so hopefully I can keep that going throughout the tournament.
“My short game is in pretty good nick, but obviously it could be better. There is always something you can improve on when you play golf.”
The School Sport Australia National Golf Championships is made up of several team events and also takes in the Craig Parry Shield for individual stroke play.
Geelong Golf Club’s Louis van Ingen is an emergency for Victoria.